University of Arizona vs Northern Arizona University
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 Arizona holds a 11-point ROI advantage over Northern Arizona University, scoring 75/100 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 $16,674 at University of Arizona - a difference of $2,516 annually, or roughly $10,064 over four years.
Ten years after enrollment, University of Arizona graduates earn a median of $59,979 compared to $54,384 at Northern Arizona University. The payback period is 8.3 years at University of Arizona versus 10.1 years at Northern Arizona University.
Graduates leave Northern Arizona University with a median $19,000 in debt versus $19,620 at University of Arizona. The debt-to-earnings ratios are 0.47 and 0.52 respectively - financial advisors generally recommend staying below 1.0.
Head-to-Head Numbers
| Metric | University of Arizona | Northern Arizona Universi... |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | ||
| In-State Tuition | $13,926 | $13,009 |
| Out-of-State Tuition | $42,278 | $29,881 |
| Net Price (avg) | $16,674 | $14,158 |
| Total 4-Year Cost | $66,696 | $56,632 |
| Outcomes | ||
| Median Earnings (6yr) | $41,800 | $36,900 |
| Median Earnings (10yr) | $59,979 | $54,384 |
| Graduation Rate | 67.5% | 61.3% |
| Payback Period | 8.3 yr | 10.1 yr |
| Debt | ||
| Median Debt | $19,620 | $19,000 |
| Monthly Payment | $208 | $201 |
| Debt-to-Earnings | 0.47 | 0.52 |
| 3yr Repayment Rate | 77.5% | 68.6% |
| 5yr Repayment Rate | 71.6% | 59.2% |
| Admissions | ||
| Acceptance Rate | 86.1% | 89.6% |
| Enrollment | 42,537 | 22,903 |
Net Price by Family Income
Average annual net price after grants and scholarships, by household income bracket.
| Family Income | University of Arizon... | Northern Arizona Uni... |
|---|---|---|
| $0-$30,000 | $13,353 | $9,709 |
| $30,001-$48,000 | $14,984 | $10,398 |
| $48,001-$75,000 | $16,051 | $13,330 |
| $75,001-$110,000 | $19,777 | $18,050 |
| $110,001+ | $22,307 | $20,686 |
Earnings by Major - Head to Head
Median earnings for majors offered at both schools. Green highlights the higher figure.
| Major | University of Arizon... | Northern Arizona Uni... |
|---|---|---|
| Computer Science | $117,451 | $99,067 |
| Electrical Engineering | $105,839 | $95,388 |
| Management Information Systems | $104,513 | $76,041 |
| Finance and Financial Management | $100,938 | $77,855 |
| Accounting | $93,729 | $81,144 |
| Mechanical Engineering | $90,384 | $91,941 |
| Civil Engineering | $91,602 | $88,184 |
| Business Information Systems | $90,045 | $63,605 |
| Registered Nursing | $88,892 | $84,996 |
| Marketing | $84,111 | $69,834 |
| Business Administration, Management, and Operations | $77,951 | $66,376 |
| Communication and Media Studies | $72,758 | $52,957 |
| Public Health | $66,937 | $61,757 |
| Chemistry | $66,532 | $60,630 |
| Mathematics | $66,381 | $54,149 |
ROI Sub-Score Breakdown
| Component | University of Arizon... | Northern Arizona Uni... |
|---|---|---|
| Earnings Premium (30%) | 79 | 74 |
| Payback Period (25%) | 73 | 60 |
| Debt / Earnings (20%) | 78 | 70 |
| Completion Rate (15%) | 74 | 62 |
| Repayment Rate (10%) | 63 | 36 |
| Overall ROI Score | 75 | 64 |
The Verdict
University of Arizona has a meaningfully higher ROI score (75 vs 64). Graduates earn more relative to cost, and the financial return is noticeably stronger. That said, if Northern Arizona University offers a significantly better program in your intended major, it could still be the better financial choice for you specifically.
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University of Arizona
Strong Value - Full profile and breakdown
Northern Arizona University
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.