NAU vs. Palm Beach State College

Comparable Facts

Compare Northern Arizona University in Flagstaff, AZ with Palm Beach State College in Lake Worth, FL on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Northern Arizona University is larger than Palm Beach State College based on total student enrollment (28,467 students vs. 25,916 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Northern Arizona University is located in Flagstaff, AZ (Small City setting); Palm Beach State College is in Lake Worth, FL (Large Suburban setting).
• Northern Arizona University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Palm Beach State College is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Northern Arizona University 19:1; Palm Beach State College 31:1.

NAU vs. Palm Beach State College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, NAU or Palm Beach State College? 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 Palm Beach State College than NAU ($9,577 vs. $16,371).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Palm Beach State College are 11.1% lower than at Northern Arizona University ($12,825 vs. $14,432).
• Northern Arizona University is 326.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than Palm Beach State College (about $9,959 more per year; $13,009.00 vs. $3,050.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 173.9% higher at NAU than at Palm Beach State College (about $18,971 more per year; $29,881.00 vs. $10,910.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Northern Arizona University than at Palm Beach State College (99% vs. 68%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Northern Arizona University students is 84.1% larger than aid received by Palm Beach State College students ($13,085 vs. $7,107).

NAU vs. Palm Beach State College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, NAU or Palm Beach State College? 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 Palm Beach State College and NAU.

• Palm Beach State College reports an open admissions policy.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: NAU - Test-free; Palm Beach State College - Open admission.
• Typical fall application deadline: NAU Aug 1, 2027; Palm Beach State College Aug 20, 2027.

NAU vs. Palm Beach State College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for NAU and Palm Beach State College? 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).

• Graduates from Northern Arizona University earn a median of about $7,900 more per year than Palm Beach State College graduates about ten years after starting college ($43,900 vs. $36,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Palm Beach State College graduates have a $14,250 lower median loan debt than NAU graduates ($5,750 vs. $20,000).
• Among borrowers, Palm Beach State College graduates have an estimated $147 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than NAU graduates ($59 vs. $206).
• More NAU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Palm Beach State College students, three years after graduation. (55% vs. 38%)

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.