Head-to-head · 2026
Northern Arizona University vs Prescott College
Compare average net price ($14,158 at Northern Arizona University; $22,583 at Prescott College), ROI score (9.60 vs 4.69), school-wide ten-year median earnings ($54,384 vs $42,359), and admissions selectivity (89.6% acceptance at Northern Arizona University; 94.5% at Prescott College) using federal College Scorecard data. The table keeps affordability, outcomes, access and program fit separate rather than declaring one universal winner.
Face to face
Metric-by-metric comparison
13 metrics, side by side. Color marks a useful directional signal; admissions, SAT, tuition eligibility, ownership and enrollment stay neutral.
| Metric | Northern Arizona University | Prescott College |
|---|---|---|
| ROI score (school-wide) | 9.60 ✓ | 4.69 |
| Avg net price | $14,158 ✓ | $22,583 |
| 4-year avg net price | $56,632 ✓ | $90,332 |
| In-state tuition | $13,009 | $35,685 |
| Out-of-state tuition | $29,881 | $35,685 |
| School-wide earnings (10y) | $54,384 ✓ | $42,359 |
| Acceptance rate | 89.6% | 94.5% |
| Graduation rate | 61.3% ✓ | 55.6% |
| Retention rate | 75.5% ✓ | 73.9% |
| Median debt | $19,000 | $16,300 ✓ |
| Enrollment | 22,903 | 219 |
| Ownership | Public | Private Non-Profit |
| Avg SAT | — | — |
Cost by family income
Reported net price by income band
Federal averages for students receiving Title IV aid. These are context, not a substitute for either school's financial-aid offer.
| Income band | Northern Arizona University | Prescott College |
|---|---|---|
| Family income $0–30k | $9,709 ✓ | $22,542 |
| Family income $30–48k | $10,398 ✓ | $19,587 |
| Family income $48–75k | $13,330 ✓ | $16,537 |
| Family income $75–110k | $18,050 ✓ | $24,832 |
| Family income $110k+ | $20,686 ✓ | $25,444 |
Program fit
Shared fields with reported awards
Award share is the share of reported credentials in a field, not the share of currently enrolled students.
| Shared field | Northern Arizona University | Prescott College |
|---|---|---|
| Natural Resources Conservation and Research | 1.4% | 12.2% |
| Psychology, General | 4.8% | 6% |
| Mental and Social Health Services and Allied Professions | 0.5% | 9.9% |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | 5.7% | 4% |
| Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies, Other | 0% | 8.8% |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | 4.3% | 3.4% |
| Special Education and Teaching | 2.3% | 4.8% |
| Student Counseling and Personnel Services | 0.9% | 5.1% |
Decision readout
What the differences mean
Northern Arizona University reports the lower average net price by $8,425 per year. Holding today's averages constant, that is a $33,700 difference over four years ($56,632 vs $90,332).
Northern Arizona University reports $12,025 higher school-wide median earnings ten years after entry ($54,384 vs $42,359). This is not earnings for a specific major.
First-year retention is 75.5% at Northern Arizona University and 73.9% at Prescott College. Median federal debt among completers is $19,000 vs $16,300, respectively.
8 of the strongest shared fields with positive award-share data are listed below. Award share describes reported credentials in a field, not the percentage of currently enrolled students.
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Frequently asked
Northern Arizona University vs Prescott College, answered
4 of the most common questions, with real numbers from federal data.
Which school costs less after aid?
Northern Arizona University is cheaper — average net price $14,158 per year vs $22,583 at Prescott College. The annual difference of $8,425 adds up to about $33,700 over four years.
Which school reports higher earnings?
Northern Arizona University reports higher school-wide median earnings ten years after entry: $54,384 vs $42,359 at Prescott College. The gap in the federal data is $12,025. This is not major-specific earnings.
Which school is harder to get into?
Northern Arizona University is more selective at 89.6% acceptance vs 94.5% at Prescott College.
Is there an overall winner?
No single metric makes either school the universal winner. Compare your actual aid offers, residency tuition, intended major, graduation and retention rates, debt, location and campus fit. EduGradify keeps these trade-offs separate instead of combining admissions selectivity and test scores into a final verdict.