How Affordable Is NAU, and What Financial Aid Is Available?
Updated
NAU presents itself as an affordable option, and the strongest single figure on its site is this: 99% of first-year NAU students receive some sort of scholarship or financial aid. That number tells you aid is the norm rather than the exception at Northern Arizona University, but it does not tell you what your own bill will look like. Affordability at NAU depends on your residency, your aid package, and which program you choose — so treat the 99% figure as a starting point for a conversation with the financial aid office, not as a promise about your costs.
What NAU says about affordability
The university frames cost as part of its overall pitch, with a page section titled "Your education made affordable." The site's own summary of why students choose NAU describes the college journey as "as affordable as it is unforgettable," pairing cost language with career-driven programs and the Flagstaff location.
Beyond the headline aid statistic, the page evidence does not list tuition rates, fees, or specific dollar amounts. If you need exact current costs, you will have to get them from NAU directly rather than from the marketing pages.
The aid figure that matters most
| Figure from NAU | What it covers |
|---|---|
| 99% of first-year students | Receive some sort of scholarship or financial aid |
| 39% of undergrads | Are first-generation college students |
| 73% of graduating seniors | Reported employed or enrolled in graduate school after graduation |
The 99% statistic is the one to focus on for affordability. Note the wording carefully: "some sort of scholarship or financial aid" is broad. It can include merit scholarships, need-based grants, loans, work-study, or a combination. Receiving some aid is not the same as receiving enough aid to cover your costs, so the useful next step is finding out what you specifically qualify for.
The 39% first-generation figure is also relevant if you are the first in your family to attend college — it suggests a large peer group navigating the same financial aid process, and often signals dedicated support resources.
Where to look for aid
NAU's site points to several aid channels through its degree and program structure and its affordability messaging:
- Scholarships — the 99% figure implies scholarship awarding is widespread; ask what merit and need-based scholarships you qualify for and whether they renew.
- Financial aid — complete the standard federal aid process so NAU can build your package.
- Program-level differences — NAU offers undergraduate degrees, graduate degrees, online degrees, and certificate programs. Costs and aid eligibility can differ across these, so check the category you are actually applying to.
The site does not specify application deadlines, award amounts, or whether aid is need-based or merit-based in each case. Those details come from the financial aid office.
How to check your real cost
- Identify your program type — undergraduate, graduate, online, or certificate. Each has its own cost structure.
- Submit your federal aid application so NAU can determine your eligibility.
- Ask about scholarship eligibility directly, since the 99% figure suggests most first-years receive something.
- Request a personalized cost estimate rather than relying on published averages.
- Compare your net cost — total cost minus grants and scholarships — across your options. Loans count as aid but still have to be repaid.
What the site does not tell you
NAU's pages emphasize affordability but do not publish tuition figures, fee breakdowns, or aid amounts in the material available here. The 99% statistic is a strong signal that aid is widely distributed, but it cannot substitute for your own aid offer. Treat any affordability claim — from NAU or anywhere else — as something to verify against your specific package before you commit.