Northern Arizona University vs Universal Technical Institute of Arizona Inc: which has better ROI?
Northern Arizona University has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $56,632 in 9.4 years versus 13.5 years at Universal Technical Institute of Arizona Inc, on median earnings of $54,384 vs $52,873 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Northern Arizona University | Universal Technical Institute of Arizona Inc |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $14,158 | $30,451 |
| Total net cost | $56,632 | $60,902 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $54,384 | $52,873 |
| Median debt | $19,000 | $13,124 |
| Payback | 9.4 yrs | 13.5 yrs |
| 20-year net return | $63,848 | $29,358 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, Northern Arizona University or Universal Technical Institute of Arizona Inc?
Northern Arizona University, at $14,158 a year after aid versus $30,451 — a gap of $16,293 a year, or $4,270 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.
Do Northern Arizona University or Universal Technical Institute of Arizona Inc graduates earn more?
Northern Arizona University graduates report a median $54,384 ten years after entry, $1,511 more than the $52,873 at Universal Technical Institute of Arizona Inc. Both are institution-wide medians from federal tax records, so a high-paying major at the lower school can beat the average at the higher one.
Which leaves students with less debt, Northern Arizona University or Universal Technical Institute of Arizona Inc?
Universal Technical Institute of Arizona Inc: its completers carry a median $13,124 in federal loans versus $19,000 at Northern Arizona University, a difference of $5,876. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.
Which graduates more of its students?
70% of students finish at Universal Technical Institute of Arizona Inc, against 61% at Northern Arizona University. Completion matters to the ROI arithmetic because a degree that is never finished still carries its cost and its debt, but earns none of the graduate premium above the $48,360 high-school baseline.