Northern Arizona University vs University of Oregon
Side-by-side ROI comparison using U.S. Department of Education data. Which school delivers a better financial return?
ROI Score Comparison
The Financial Comparison
University of Oregon holds a 4-point ROI advantage over Northern Arizona University, scoring 68/100 versus 64/100. That gap reflects meaningful differences in how costs, earnings, and debt stack up for graduates of each institution.
On cost, Northern Arizona University comes in at $14,158 per year (net price after aid) versus $22,182 at University of Oregon - a difference of $8,024 annually, or roughly $32,096 over four years.
Ten years after enrollment, University of Oregon graduates earn a median of $61,324 compared to $54,384 at Northern Arizona University. The payback period is 10.1 years at Northern Arizona University versus 8.7 years at University of Oregon.
Graduates leave Northern Arizona University with a median $19,000 in debt versus $20,139 at University of Oregon. The debt-to-earnings ratios are 0.52 and 0.51 respectively - financial advisors generally recommend staying below 1.0.
Head-to-Head Numbers
| Metric | Northern Arizona Universi... | University of Oregon |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | ||
| In-State Tuition | $13,009 | $16,137 |
| Out-of-State Tuition | $29,881 | $44,598 |
| Net Price (avg) | $14,158 | $22,182 |
| Total 4-Year Cost | $56,632 | $88,728 |
| Outcomes | ||
| Median Earnings (6yr) | $36,900 | $39,800 |
| Median Earnings (10yr) | $54,384 | $61,324 |
| Graduation Rate | 61.3% | 71.7% |
| Payback Period | 10.1 yr | 8.7 yr |
| Debt | ||
| Median Debt | $19,000 | $20,139 |
| Monthly Payment | $201 | $214 |
| Debt-to-Earnings | 0.52 | 0.51 |
| 3yr Repayment Rate | 68.6% | 69.7% |
| 5yr Repayment Rate | 59.2% | 67.8% |
| Admissions | ||
| Acceptance Rate | 89.6% | 88.3% |
| Enrollment | 22,903 | 20,497 |
Net Price by Family Income
Average annual net price after grants and scholarships, by household income bracket.
| Family Income | Northern Arizona Uni... | University of Oregon |
|---|---|---|
| $0-$30,000 | $9,709 | $15,909 |
| $30,001-$48,000 | $10,398 | $15,760 |
| $48,001-$75,000 | $13,330 | $18,364 |
| $75,001-$110,000 | $18,050 | $24,704 |
| $110,001+ | $20,686 | $31,021 |
Earnings by Major - Head to Head
Median earnings for majors offered at both schools. Green highlights the higher figure.
| Major | Northern Arizona Uni... | University of Oregon |
|---|---|---|
| Accounting | $81,144 | $85,438 |
| Mathematics | $54,149 | $82,191 |
| Chemistry | $60,630 | $81,984 |
| Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication | $55,863 | $73,410 |
| Communication and Media Studies | $52,957 | $70,532 |
| Public Administration | $52,834 | $67,030 |
| Design and Applied Arts | $48,764 | $65,573 |
| International Relations | $58,571 | $62,408 |
| Geological and Earth Sciences | $60,402 | $52,007 |
| Journalism | $57,868 | $55,615 |
| Romance Languages | $57,004 | $57,106 |
| Biology | $55,446 | $51,459 |
| Sociology | $44,082 | $55,204 |
| Linguistic and Comparative Language Studies | $54,276 | $46,886 |
| Psychology | $50,448 | $50,810 |
ROI Sub-Score Breakdown
| Component | Northern Arizona Uni... | University of Oregon |
|---|---|---|
| Earnings Premium (30%) | 74 | 66 |
| Payback Period (25%) | 60 | 71 |
| Debt / Earnings (20%) | 70 | 72 |
| Completion Rate (15%) | 62 | 81 |
| Repayment Rate (10%) | 36 | 39 |
| Overall ROI Score | 64 | 68 |
The Verdict
These two schools are closely matched on financial outcomes. University of Oregon edges out Northern Arizona University by 4 points (68 vs 64), but the difference is small enough that major choice and individual circumstances will matter more than the school-level ROI difference. Run the numbers for your specific situation using the calculator below.
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Northern Arizona University
Fair Value - Full profile and breakdown
University of Oregon
Fair Value - Full profile and breakdown
Data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, as of 2024-2025. Earnings are measured 6 and 10 years after enrollment. Net prices reflect average aid for first-time, full-time students.See full methodology.