Head-to-head · 2026
Northern Arizona University vs University of Phoenix-Arizona
Compare average net price ($14,158 at Northern Arizona University; $13,520 at University of Phoenix-Arizona), ROI score (9.60 vs 6.98), school-wide ten-year median earnings ($54,384 vs $37,752), and admissions context (89.6% at Northern Arizona University; Open / not reported at University of Phoenix-Arizona) 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 | University of Phoenix-Arizona |
|---|---|---|
| ROI score (school-wide) | 9.60 ✓ | 6.98 |
| Avg net price | $14,158 | $13,520 ✓ |
| 4-year avg net price | $56,632 | $54,080 ✓ |
| In-state tuition | $13,009 | $9,552 |
| Out-of-state tuition | $29,881 | $9,552 |
| School-wide earnings (10y) | $54,384 ✓ | $37,752 |
| Acceptance rate | 89.6% | Open / not reported |
| Graduation rate | 61.3% ✓ | 20.8% |
| Retention rate | 75.5% ✓ | 40.8% |
| Median debt | $19,000 ✓ | $31,553 |
| Enrollment | 22,903 | 85,991 |
| Ownership | Public | Private For-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 | University of Phoenix-Arizona |
|---|---|---|
| Family income $0–30k | $9,709 ✓ | $12,776 |
| Family income $30–48k | $10,398 ✓ | $13,833 |
| Family income $48–75k | $13,330 ✓ | $14,963 |
| Family income $75–110k | $18,050 | $17,177 ✓ |
| Family income $110k+ | $20,686 | $19,150 ✓ |
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 | University of Phoenix-Arizona |
|---|---|---|
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | 4.3% | 41.9% |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | 6.3% | 5% |
| Computer and Information Sciences, General | 2.4% | 5.8% |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | 5.7% | 2.1% |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | 0.2% | 5.4% |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities | 5.1% | 0% |
| Human Resources Management and Services | 0.3% | 4.7% |
| Accounting and Related Services | 0.9% | 3.5% |
Decision readout
What the differences mean
University of Phoenix-Arizona reports the lower average net price by $638 per year. Holding today's averages constant, that is a $2,552 difference over four years ($54,080 vs $56,632).
Northern Arizona University reports $16,632 higher school-wide median earnings ten years after entry ($54,384 vs $37,752). This is not earnings for a specific major.
First-year retention is 75.5% at Northern Arizona University and 40.8% at University of Phoenix-Arizona. Median federal debt among completers is $19,000 vs $31,553, 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.
Keep comparing
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Frequently asked
Northern Arizona University vs University of Phoenix-Arizona, answered
3 of the most common questions, with real numbers from federal data.
Which school costs less after aid?
University of Phoenix-Arizona is cheaper — average net price $13,520 per year vs $14,158 at Northern Arizona University. The annual difference of $638 adds up to about $2,552 over four years.
Which school reports higher earnings?
Northern Arizona University reports higher school-wide median earnings ten years after entry: $54,384 vs $37,752 at University of Phoenix-Arizona. The gap in the federal data is $16,632. This is not major-specific earnings.
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.