NAU vs. University of Massachusetts-Boston

Comparable Facts

Compare Northern Arizona University in Flagstaff, AZ with University of Massachusetts Boston in Boston, MA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Northern Arizona University is larger than University of Massachusetts-Boston based on total student enrollment (28,467 students vs. 15,575 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Northern Arizona University is located in Flagstaff, AZ (Small City setting); University of Massachusetts Boston is in Boston, MA (Large City setting).
• Northern Arizona University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Massachusetts Boston is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Northern Arizona University 19:1; University of Massachusetts Boston 15:1.

NAU vs. University of Massachusetts-Boston Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, NAU or University of Massachusetts-Boston? 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 University of Massachusetts-Boston ($16,371 vs. $17,768).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Northern Arizona University are 24.6% lower than at University of Massachusetts Boston ($14,432 vs. $19,128).
• University of Massachusetts Boston is 22.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than NAU (about $2,899 more per year; $15,908.00 vs. $13,009.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 27.6% higher at University of Massachusetts-Boston than at Northern Arizona University (about $8,244 more per year; $38,125.00 vs. $29,881.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Northern Arizona University than at University of Massachusetts Boston (99% vs. 88%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of Massachusetts Boston students is 7.3% larger than aid received by Northern Arizona University students ($14,042 vs. $13,085).

NAU vs. University of Massachusetts-Boston Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, NAU or University of Massachusetts-Boston? 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 University of Massachusetts-Boston and NAU.

• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsUniversity of Massachusetts Boston 1070/1290.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsUniversity of Massachusetts Boston 22/29.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: NAU - Test-free; University of Massachusetts-Boston - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: NAU Aug 1, 2027; University of Massachusetts-Boston Feb 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman NAU students have a 0.35 point higher average high school GPA (3.7) than students at University of Massachusetts-Boston (3.35).
• NAU has a higher acceptance rate (89.6%) than University of Massachusetts-Boston (83.8%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 15.8% at NAU vs. 12.3% at University of Massachusetts-Boston.

NAU vs. University of Massachusetts-Boston Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for NAU and University of Massachusetts-Boston? 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).

• Northern Arizona University's six-year graduation rate (52%) is higher than University of Massachusetts Boston's (40%).
• Graduates from University of Massachusetts Boston earn a median of about $7,300 more per year than NAU graduates about ten years after starting college ($51,200 vs. $43,900), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Northern Arizona University graduates have a $2,060 lower median loan debt than University of Massachusetts-Boston graduates ($20,000 vs. $22,060).
• Among borrowers, NAU graduates have an estimated $22 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than University of Massachusetts-Boston graduates ($206 vs. $228).
• More University of Massachusetts-Boston graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former NAU students, three years after graduation. (58% vs. 55%)

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.