NAU vs. UVU

Comparable Facts

Compare Northern Arizona University in Flagstaff, AZ with Utah Valley University in Orem, UT on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Utah Valley University is larger than NAU based on total student enrollment (46,807 students vs. 28,467 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Northern Arizona University is located in Flagstaff, AZ (Small City setting); Utah Valley University is in Orem, UT (Small City setting).
• Northern Arizona University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Utah Valley University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Northern Arizona University 19:1; Utah Valley University 26:1.

NAU vs. UVU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, NAU or UVU? 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 Utah Valley University than NAU ($8,721 vs. $16,371).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Utah Valley University are 15.8% lower than at Northern Arizona University ($12,150 vs. $14,432).
• Northern Arizona University is 99.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than UVU (about $6,502 more per year; $13,009.00 vs. $6,507.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 61.6% higher at NAU than at Utah Valley University (about $11,392 more per year; $29,881.00 vs. $18,489.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Northern Arizona University than at Utah Valley University (99% vs. 62%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Northern Arizona University students is 130.8% larger than aid received by Utah Valley University students ($13,085 vs. $5,670).

NAU vs. UVU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, NAU or UVU? 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 UVU and NAU.

• Utah Valley University reports an open admissions policy.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: NAU - Test-free; UVU - Open admission.
• Typical fall application deadline: NAU Aug 1, 2027; UVU Aug 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman NAU students have a 0.18 point higher average high school GPA (3.7) than students at UVU (3.52).

NAU vs. UVU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for NAU and UVU? 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 Utah Valley University's (25%).
• Graduates from Utah Valley University earn a median of about $5,400 more per year than NAU graduates about ten years after starting college ($49,300 vs. $43,900), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Utah Valley University graduates have a $4,800 lower median loan debt than NAU graduates ($15,200 vs. $20,000).
• Among borrowers, UVU graduates have an estimated $49 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than NAU graduates ($157 vs. $206).
• More UVU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former NAU students, three years after graduation. (60% 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.