Northern Arizona University — ROI, Cost & Payback
Northern Arizona University charges a net price of $14,158/yr after aid — a 4-year total of $56,632. Graduates earn a median $54,384 ten years after entry, $6,024/yr above the $48,360 high-school baseline, clearing the total in 9.4 years — a 20-year net return of $63,848, a solid payback. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
Northern Arizona University's 9.4-year payback ranks #769 of 1,280 US colleges we track — better ROI than 40% of them, and #5 of 63 in Arizona.
| Measure | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Net price (after aid) | $14,158/yr | Scorecard, 2026 |
| Total net cost (4 yrs) | $56,632 | our math |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs after entry | $54,384 | Scorecard, 2026 |
| Earnings premium over HS baseline | $6,024/yr | our math |
| Median debt (completers) | $19,000 | Scorecard, 2026 |
| Payback | 9.4 yrs | our math |
| 20-year net return | $63,848 | our math |
College Scorecard (2026 release), institution-level · payback and returns are our math.
The arithmetic, on Northern Arizona University's own numbers. Net price $14,158 × 4 years = $56,632 total. Median earnings $54,384 − the $48,360 high-school baseline = $6,024 a year of premium. $56,632 ÷ $6,024 = 9.4 years to break even; twenty years of that premium minus the cost leaves $63,848. Future dollars are not discounted, and the earnings figure blends every major here — your programme can beat or miss it. Full method.
How much debt do Northern Arizona University students graduate with?
A median $19,000 in federal loans among completers, or 35% of the $54,384 its graduates earn ten years out — our math. The figure excludes private loans and students who left before finishing.
What share of Northern Arizona University students graduate?
61% finish their degree — 39% leave carrying the cost without the credential. Spread the $56,632 bill across that completion rate and the cohort pays $92,839 per graduate produced — our math, and the figure a payback number never shows.
Is Northern Arizona University expensive compared with other Arizona colleges?
Its $14,158 net price runs $3,281 below the $17,439 median across the 63 Arizona colleges we profile, and $13,124 less across the full degree.