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Public 4 Year

NAU Admission Requirements

Flagstaff, Arizona

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Your chances of getting into Northern Arizona University

Admission Rate & Difficulty

Percent Admitted 

80%
Admission Difficulty for Northern Arizona University
Measure Difficulty
Admission Standards Unavailable 
Applicant Competition Very Low 

Acceptance Rate

The acceptance rate at NAU is 80%.  Its admission rate is the 5th lowest in Arizona.

Admission Selectivity

How hard is it to get into NAU and can you get accepted?

Northern Arizona University is an easy school to get into and you have a very good chance of acceptance if you meet the admission criteria. Last year, 35,881 out of the 44,855 who applied were admitted.

Northern Arizona University typically accepts and attracts "A-" average high school students with an average GPA around 3.7. Most incoming freshmen graduate in the top quarter of their high school class. 16% of those admitted chose to enroll in the school.

Can you get into NAU?

80% are accepted, can you get in? Use the admission calculator to see if you have the grades and test scores needed to get in. See your admission chances based on your extracurriculars, intended major, background, and more.

Calculate your admission chances
Calculate your admission chances

Admission Requirements in Brief

To have the best chance of getting into to Northern Arizona University you should:

  • Have a high school GPA of 3.7 or better
  • Earn A- grades in high school
  • Graduate in the top 25% of your high school class

NAU GPA

GPA Requirements & Average GPA

Avg. High School GPA 

3.7

Typical High School Grades 

A-

What GPA do you need to get into Northern Arizona University?

GPA Requirements

The GPA requirements for getting into NAU are to have around a 3.7 high school GPA. You are required to have very good grades in high school.

If your high school grades are above the average 3.7 GPA, you have a very good chance of being admitted as NAU accepts 80% of applicants.

Average GPA

The average unweighted GPA at NAU is 3.7 on the 4.0 scale. 31% of students who get in have perfect 4.0 GPA's in high school. To achieve the average GPA for admission, you need to earn A- letter grades and regularly score around 90-92 percent on tests and assignments in high school.  The school ranks #2 in Arizona for highest average GPA.

Importance of GPA

Since NAU is a test optional college, extra focus will be placed on your GPA when the school considers your application. As a result, it is very important that you meet the GPA requirements.

See additional colleges accepting applicants in the 3.7 GPA range.

Competitiveness by GPA Ranges

The table below outlines the number of admitted freshmen by GPA range as well as how competitive your GPA will be as compared with other applicants.

High School GPA's for admitted Northern Arizona University students
High School GPA Freshmen Within Range Competitiveness 
4.0 31.0% Good
3.75 to 3.99 21.0% Avg
3.50 to 3.74 17.0% Avg -
3.25 to 3.49 13.0% Reach
3.00 to 3.24 9.0% Reach
2.50 to 2.99 7.0% Reach
2.00 to 2.49 1.0% Reach
1.00 to 1.99 1.0% Low
less than 1.00 0% Low

 What do these chances mean?

GPA Data Source, Peterson's Data 2022

Calculate My Chances 

NAU SAT Scores

Testing Requirements

Submission of SAT or ACT scores is not required by Northern Arizona University. The school has a test blind policy.

SAT Requirements & Average SAT Score

SAT Range 

Not Reported

Applicants Submitting SAT 

-
SAT Scores for Northern Arizona University
SAT Test 25th Percentile Score
Reading 25th Percentile N/A
Math 25th Percentile N/A
Composite 25th Percentile N/A
SAT Scores for Northern Arizona University
SAT Test 75th Percentile Score
Reading 75th Percentile N/A
Math 75th Percentile N/A
Composite 75th Percentile N/A
Average SAT Score N/A
Data Sources, IPEDS for Fall 2022 starting class

NAU ACT Scores

ACT Requirements & Average ACT Score

ACT Range 

Not Reported

Applicants Submitting ACT 

-
ACT Scores for Northern Arizona University
ACT Test 25th Percentile Score
Reading 25th Percentile N/A
Math 25th Percentile N/A
Composite 25th Percentile N/A
ACT Scores for Northern Arizona University
ACT Test 75th Percentile Score
Reading 75th Percentile N/A
Math 75th Percentile N/A
Composite 75th Percentile N/A
Average ACT Score N/A
Data Sources, IPEDS for Fall 2022 starting class

High School Class Rank

54% of Northern Arizona University freshman are in the top twenty five percent of their high school graduating class and 22% are in the top ten percent.

High School Class Rank for admitted Northern Arizona University students
High School Class Rank Freshmen Within Range
Top 10% of class 22%
Top 25% of class 54%
Top 50% of class 84%
Data Source, Peterson's Data

Applying

Admission Statistics

Admission and enrollment rates by gender are detailed the the table below.

Northern Arizona University admission statistics
Women Men Total
Applied 29,393 15,462 44,855
Accepted 23,742 12,139 35,881
Acceptance Rate 81% 79% 80%
Enrolled 3,475 2,100 5,575
Percent of Admitted Who Enrolled (Admission Yield) 15% 17% 16%
Data Sources, IPEDS for Fall 2022 starting class

Fall 2024 Application Deadline

Applications Due

Aug 1, 2025

Days left to Apply

241

Applicants have 241 days left until the Fall 2024 term applications are due on Aug 1, 2025.

Application Fee

The cost for prospective students to apply to Northern Arizona University is $25.

Application Requirements

What are the requirements for admission to Northern Arizona University and what student information is used for admission decisions?

Northern Arizona University Application Requirements
Test Scores Not considered for admission, even if submitted (Test Blind)
High School GPA Required to be considered for admission
High School Class Rank Not considered for admission, even if submitted
Completion of College Preparatory Program Not considered for admission, even if submitted
Recommendations Not considered for admission, even if submitted
Demonstration of Competencies Not considered for admission, even if submitted

Credits Accepted

High School Credits Accepted at Northern Arizona University
AP Credit Yes
Dual Credit Yes
Credit for Life Experiences No

Other Colleges to Apply To 

Students applying to Northern Arizona University often consider these colleges

Primary data source, U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/?id=105330 IPEDS survey data for Northern Arizona University.

Last updated February 24, 2024