Northern Arizona University Ranking

San Francisco , USA

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144

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#Top 1400

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Public

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NAU guarantees full tuition coverage for undergraduate Arizona residents with household incomes up to $65,000 attending Flagstaff or statewide locations.

NAU is a renowned public research university, ranked #244 among National Universities in the 2025 U.S. News & World Report, highlighting its strong regional presence and academic quality. Globally, Northern Arizona University (NAU) is placed in the 1001-1200 band in the 2025 QS World University Rankings, with particular recognition in sustainability and select subject areas.

Located in Flagstaff, Arizona, NAU offers over 180 programs across bachelor's, master's, and doctoral levels in diverse fields such as engineering, business, education, and more, providing students with a wide range of academic opportunities.

Now, let’s take a closer look at how Northern Arizona University fares in the global rankings for 2024-25.

Northern Arizona University World Rankings 2024-25

Northern Arizona University (NAU) maintains a consistent presence in global university rankings, reflecting its commitment to quality education and research. In the 2024-25 QS World University Rankings, NAU ranked in the 1001-1200 band. These rankings underscore NAU’s growing reputation across diverse academic disciplines.

Here’s how Northern Arizona University has performed over the years in various rankings.

Ranking Body	2023	2024	2025
QS World University	1201-1400	1001-1200	1001-1200
Times Higher Education	-NA	#501- 600th	NA
U.S. News & World Report	NA	NA	#244

Here’s a graphical representation of Northern Arizona University rankings:

The university has shown notable progress in global rankings between 2023 and 2025. According to the QS World University Rankings, it improved from the 1201–1400 band in 2023 to the 1001–1200 range in both 2024 and 2025, indicating steady growth in global visibility and academic metrics.

The Times Higher Education (THE) ranked the university in the 501–600 band in 2024, although it wasn’t listed in 2023 or 2025, which may reflect changing participation or eligibility criteria.

The U.S. News & World Report included the university for the first time in 2025 at #244, suggesting recent improvements in performance indicators such as faculty credentials, graduation rates, and regional reputation.

Overall, the data points to a university that’s gradually gaining traction in the global academic space, particularly over the last two years.

Rankings matter, but the right fit matters more. See how Northern Arizona University aligns with your goals, book your free 1:1 counseling appointment with upGrad and take the next step today.

In addition to its overall global standing, it's important to consider how the rankings of Northern Arizona University impact specific fields of study.

Subject-Wise Ranking of Northern Arizona University

Northern Arizona University (NAU) holds notable subject-specific rankings from various official bodies, reflecting its academic strengths. According to U.S. News & World Report, NAU ranks #174 in the Computer Science graduate program, marking it as one of the university’s top-performing disciplines.

Below is a breakdown of the subject-specific Northern Arizona University Rankings 2025 for different agencies:

QS Rankings

Northern Arizona University (NAU) holds a stable position in the QS World University Rankings 2025, reflecting its steady global academic reputation and research presence. Notably, NAU is ranked #89 in Linguistics, showcasing its strength in this field. Here’s the ranking of various subjects based on the QS ranking:

Here’s the ranking of various subjects based on the QS ranking.

Subject	QS Ranking (2025)
Linguistics	#89
Agriculture and Forestry	#201-250
English Language and Literature	#301-350
Education and Training	#351-400
Environmental Science	#401-450

THE (Times Higher Education) Rankings

Northern Arizona University (NAU) demonstrates academic strengths in various fields, as highlighted by the Times Higher Education Subject Rankings 2025. It excels in Arts and Humanities, Education, and Engineering, securing a competitive ranking of #41 in Ecology. These rankings reflect NAU’s strong reputation in diverse academic disciplines.

Here’s how different subjects at NAU rank based on THE rankings.

Subject	Ranking 2025
Arts and Humanities	251-300
Education	251-300
Engineering	401-500

U.S. News Rankings

Northern Arizona University (NAU) is recognized for its steady academic performance and growing reputation, particularly in its Nursing program, which is ranked #218 for Best Nursing Programs in 2025. Here's a look at the ranking for this popular program at NAU:

Subjects	Ranking
Nursing	#218 Best Nursing Programs (2025)
Economics	#277 Best Economics Programs (2025)

Beyond traditional academic rankings, NAU also earns recognition in various other categories, which we'll explore next.

Visit our Northern Arizona University Admission Page to explore application requirements, deadlines, and helpful tips. Start planning your academic journey today!

Miscellaneous Ranking 2025

In 2025, Northern Arizona University received recognition from several ranking systems, indicating its widespread academic appeal and standing. NAU is ranked #501–600 in the ARWU (Shanghai Rankings) 2025, demonstrating its popularity and significant presence among students.

Here’s the performance of Northern Arizona University in different rankings.

Ranking Name	Ranking 2025
ARWU (Shanghai Rankings)	#501-600
QS World University Sustainability Rankings	#875
Center for World University Rankings (CWUR)	#286
Shanghai GRAS (Ecology)	#41
Shanghai GRAS (Business Administration)	#151-200
Shanghai GRAS (Atmospheric Science)	#101-150

Northern Arizona University has solid global rankings, with its overall position in the ARWU (Shanghai Rankings) falling between #501–600 and #286 in the CWUR.

The university shines in specific areas, ranking #41 in Ecology, #101–150 in Atmospheric Science, and #151–200 in Business Administration, showcasing its academic strengths in environmental science, business, and STEM.

However, its QS World University Sustainability ranking at #875 suggests there’s potential for improvement in sustainability efforts. Overall, NAU excels in targeted fields but could enhance its broader global presence.

The Northern Arizona University rankings 2025 reflect the university’s commitment to excellence, but they only tell part of the story. Let’s now highlight the accomplishments that set NAU apart.

Northern Arizona University: Excellence and Achievements

Northern Arizona University (NAU) has established itself as a leading institution famous for academic rigor, diverse programs, and impactful research. With a consistent presence in major national and global rankings, NAU continues to enhance its reputation as a center of excellence and innovation.

Academic Excellence and National Recognition

Academic excellence is reflected in its strong graduate employment outcomes. It is 42.2% for undergraduate students. Beyond graduation outcomes, NAU encourages students to participate in Annual performances and exhibitions.

Here’s a look at its academic achievements.

Category	Recognition
Research Impact	Achieved a Field-Weighted Citation Impact of 1.61, with 70% of publications in top 25% journals and 25% in top 5% journals between 2019–2023.
Diversity Achievements	Ranks 7th nationally for awarding bachelor's degrees to Native American students and 50th for Latino students.
Virtual Innovation Award	Received the Virtual Innovation Award from NASPA for excellence in delivering virtual student services.
Athletic Academic Honors	Men's Cross Country team named National Scholar Team of the Year; six athletes earned Academic All-American status
Scholarship Programs	Offers National Scholars Awards covering full tuition for National Merit Semifinalists, Finalists, Scholars, and National Hispanic Scholars

Community and Lifestyle Recognitions

Northern Arizona University offers an inclusive campus environment where students are encouraged to engage, lead, and grow.

With over 350 recognized student organizations, NAU provides countless opportunities for students to connect with peers who share their interests. This can help you develop leadership skills, and make meaningful contributions to campus life.

NAU’s vibrant student life is supported by resources and traditions that celebrate involvement and leadership. Key highlights are as follows:

Category	Description
Diverse Student Organizations	Over 350 recognized student organizations open to all students, spanning academic, cultural, service, special interest, and recreational categories.
Leadership & Engagement Opportunities	Extensive leadership development, event planning, and community service opportunities through clubs, student government, and specialized programs.
Recognition and Awards	Prestigious honors such as the Gold Axe Award, Blue Key Honor Society, and Presidential Leadership Fellows recognize exceptional leadership and service.

Cultural and Creative Excellence

NAU’s commitment to Cultural and Academic Research is reflected in initiatives such as the CARE Program. It also holds over 300 performances and exhibitions, leading to a vibrant studying experience.

The table below demonstrates the cultural achievements at NAU in detail.

Category	Recognition
Annual Performances & Exhibitions	300+ performances, speaking engagements, films, and exhibitions each year
College of Arts and Letters	Eight departments spanning philosophy, humanities, languages, music, theatre, and visual arts
NAU Art Museum	Rotating exhibitions featuring student and community artists
Indigenous Cultural Initiatives	$10 million Seven Generations Signature Initiative supporting Indigenous students and communities
CARE Program	Cultural and Academic Research Experience for high school students in STEM and the Arts
Martin-Springer Institute	Promotes moral courage, tolerance, and justice through arts and historical education
National/Global Creative Engagement	NAU students participate in events like New York Fashion Week and documentary filmmaking

While rankings are a crucial factor, you must consider them alongside other metrics, such as acceptance rate, to get a fuller picture of the university's selectivity and appeal. Let’s discuss it in the next section.

Northern Arizona University: Ranking V/S Acceptance Rate

Northern Arizona University (NAU) holds a stable position in global and national rankings, reflecting its consistent academic quality and growing reputation. NAU’s acceptance rate is approximately 91%, indicating a moderately selective admissions process aligned with its ranking status.

Here are the acceptance rates for different programs:

Course	QS University Rank 2025	Acceptance Rate (%)
Overall University	1001-1200	91
Business Programs	Not separately ranked	NA
Engineering	Not separately ranked	NA
Health Sciences	Not separately ranked	NA

Understanding the methodologies behind these rankings is key to interpreting their significance. Let's now take a closer look at how these rankings are determined.

Ranking Methodologies

University ranking methodologies provide transparent and comparable assessments of higher education institutions worldwide, using a range of quantitative and qualitative indicators. Major ranking bodies such as QS, Times Higher Education (THE), and ARWU each employ distinct criteria and weightages to evaluate universities.

QS World University Rankings

The QS World University Rankings is one of the most prestigious global ranking systems, evaluating over 1,500 universities annually across multiple focus areas. Its methodology incorporates both reputational surveys and objective data, including academic reputation, employer reputation, faculty/student ratios, and research impact.

Here are the criteria used in QS World University Rankings.

Focus Area	Indicators	Weightage
Academic Reputation	Global survey of academics	30%
Citations per Faculty	Research impact (Scopus data)	20%
Employer Reputation	Global survey of employers	15%
Faculty/Student Ratio	Teaching capacity	10%
International Students	Proportion of international students	5%
International Faculty	Proportion of international faculty	5%
International Research Network	Collaboration breadth	5%
Employment Outcomes	Graduate employability	5%
Sustainability	Environmental and social impact	5%

Times Higher Education (THE) Rankings

The Times Higher Education (THE) World University Rankings are among the most respected global university rankings. It assesses research-intensive institutions across their core missions.

THE evaluates universities based on five key areas: Teaching (learning environment), Research Environment, Research Quality, International Outlook, and Industry Engagement.

Here are the criteria used by THE rankings.

Focus Area	Indicators	Weightage
Teaching	Teaching reputation, student-to-staff ratio, doctorate-to-bachelor ratio, doctorate-to-staff ratio, institutional income	29.50%
Research Environment	Research reputation, research income, research productivity	29%
Research Quality	Citation impact, research strength, research excellence, research influence	27.50%
International Outlook	International students, international staff, and international co-authorship	7.50%
Industry	Industry income, patents	7.50%

U.S. News and World Report Rankings

U.S. News & World Report is a widely respected authority on college and university rankings, using a comprehensive methodology that emphasizes student outcomes, social mobility, and academic excellence. The 2025 rankings reflect a shift toward prioritizing factors such as graduation rates and post-graduate success.

Here are the criteria used in U.S. News and World Report Rankings.

Focus Indicators	Weightage
Graduation Rates	16%
First-year retention rates	5%
Graduation rate performance	10%
Pell graduation rates	5.5%
Pell graduation performance	5.5%
College grads earning more than a high school grad	5%
Borrower debt	5%
Peer assessment	20%
Financial resources	8%
Faculty salaries	8%
Full-time faculty	3%
Student-faculty ratio	4%
Standardized tests	5%

The rankings above represent a university's ability to provide quality education and outcomes to students, based on measures such as employability and industry applications.

With a comprehensive understanding of Northern Arizona University's rankings 2025, we can now wrap up and reflect on the university's standing in the broader academic community.

Conclusion

As of 2025, Northern Arizona University (NAU) continues to be a well-recognised institution for its academic excellence, value, and diverse campus community. In the latest global and national rankings, NAU is placed in the 1001-1200 band by QS World University Rankings 2025.

It also scored #244 among National Universities by U.S. News & World Report, and #501-600 in the ARWU (Shanghai Ranking) 2024. NAU also holds a strong position in the Center for World University Rankings (CWUR), ranked #826 globally and within the top 4% of universities worldwide.

The Northern Arizona University rankings 2025 reflect the university’s commitment to quality education, research, and student success. This makes it a respected choice for both domestic and international students.

FAQs

How do I apply to Northern Arizona University, and what is the admission process like?

To apply to Northern Arizona University (NAU), submit your application through the ApplyArizona portal. NAU offers rolling admissions for most programs, allowing you to apply year-round. After applying, you’ll receive a confirmation email with a user ID to check your application status, ensuring updates on your application progress.

What types of financial aid does NAU offer?

NAU provides multiple financial aid options, including merit-based scholarships like the Lumberjack Scholarship, which offers up to $5,000 (INR 4.2L) for in-state students. Additionally, the Arizona Tuition Waiver Program offers eligible students a reduction in tuition. NAU also participates in federal aid programs like Pell Grants, and student loans, including Federal Direct Loans.

What career support does NAU provide to students and alumni?

NAU Career Development offers comprehensive services, including career coaching, employer networking, job and internship fairs, and access to platforms like Handshake. They help students build self-awareness, develop professional skills, and connect with alumni and local employers.

What academic support services are available at NAU?

NAU’s Academic Success Centers provide free tutoring (individual, drop-in, and group), Supplemental Instruction, academic coaching, and graduate test preparation. They also support faculty in helping students achieve academic success. Students can contact the centers via the website or phone for assistance.

What graduate programs does NAU offer?

NAU offers over 100 graduate degrees and certificates, including Master’s degrees in fields like Business Administration (MBA), Social Work (MSW), and Nursing (MSN). They also offer Doctoral programs such as the Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) and Doctor of Education (EdD).

Does NAU accept transfer credits, and what is the policy?

NAU accepts transfer credits from accredited institutions, up to 90 credits from four-year schools and 64 credits from two-year schools, provided courses have a grade of C or better. Transfer credit is not awarded for ESL or lower-level classes. The academic department determines how credits apply toward degrees.

Is NAU a good choice for international students?

Yes, NAU is an excellent choice for international students. The university offers merit-based scholarships like NAU International Scholarship to help reduce costs. International students can take advantage of on-campus employment and CPT work opportunities. NAU also provides a supportive community through the International House to help students adjust academically and culturally.

What are the admission requirements and GPA expectations at NAU?

Admission to NAU is based on performance in 14 required high school core classes. Students with an unweighted GPA of 2.75 or higher in these classes and on track to graduate are guaranteed admission. Those with a 2.5 GPA will also be considered. NAU does not require ACT or SAT scores for admission, but they are accepted for scholarship consideration.

How long do I have to complete my degree at NAU?

Graduate students must complete all degree requirements within 6 years. Undergraduate students do not have a fixed time limit but must maintain continuous enrollment to meet academic program requirements.

Does NAU offer online or statewide programs?

Yes, Northern Arizona University (NAU) offers a wide range of online programs and statewide campus locations throughout Arizona. Some of the popular programs available online include Business Administration (MBA), Computer Science, and Psychology, among others. NAU’s online platform ensures that students have access to high-quality education.

How does NAU’s online programs ensure student success?

NAU’s online programs are designed to provide flexibility while maintaining high academic standards. For online students, NAU offers the e-Learning Center, which supports learners with resources like virtual tutoring, academic advising, and 24/7 access to course materials. NAU also organizes regional job fairs and networking events to provide access to career opportunities across Arizona.

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