NAU vs. OUAZ-Surprise

Comparable Facts

Compare Northern Arizona University in Flagstaff, AZ with Ottawa University Surprise in Surprise, Arizona on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Northern Arizona University is larger than OUAZ-Surprise based on total student enrollment (28,467 students vs. 912 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Northern Arizona University is located in Flagstaff, AZ (Small City setting); Ottawa University Surprise is in Surprise, Arizona (Large Suburban setting).
• Northern Arizona University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Ottawa University Surprise is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Northern Arizona University 19:1; Ottawa University Surprise 11:1.

NAU vs. OUAZ-Surprise Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, NAU or OUAZ-Surprise? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Northern Arizona University than OUAZ-Surprise ($16,371 vs. $34,037).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Northern Arizona University are 12.5% lower than at Ottawa University Surprise ($14,432 vs. $16,500).
• Ottawa University Surprise is 175.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than NAU (about $22,871 more per year; $35,880.00 vs. $13,009.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 20.1% higher at OUAZ-Surprise than at Northern Arizona University (about $5,999 more per year; $35,880.00 vs. $29,881.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Ottawa University Surprise than at Northern Arizona University (100% vs. 99%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Ottawa University Surprise students is 40% larger than aid received by Northern Arizona University students ($18,321 vs. $13,085).

NAU vs. OUAZ-Surprise Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, NAU or OUAZ-Surprise? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between OUAZ-Surprise and NAU.

• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsOttawa University Surprise 840/1160.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsOttawa University Surprise 16/21.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: NAU - Test-free; OUAZ-Surprise - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: NAU Aug 1, 2027.
• NAU has a higher acceptance rate (89.6%) than OUAZ-Surprise (78.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 15.8% at NAU vs. 26.3% at OUAZ-Surprise.

NAU vs. OUAZ-Surprise Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for NAU and OUAZ-Surprise? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.