Northern Arizona University Rankings 2026

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NAU guarantees full tuition coverage for undergraduate Arizona residents with household incomes up to $65,000 attending Flagstaff or statewide locations.

NAU is a renowned public research university, ranked #244 among National Universities in the 2025 U.S. News & World Report, highlighting its strong regional presence and academic quality. Globally, Northern Arizona University (NAU) is placed in the 1001-1200 band in the 2025 QS World University Rankings, with particular recognition in sustainability and select subject areas.

Located in Flagstaff, Arizona, NAU offers over 180 programs across bachelor's, master's, and doctoral levels in diverse fields such as engineering, business, education, and more, providing students with a wide range of academic opportunities.

Now, let’s take a closer look at how Northern Arizona University fares in the global rankings for 2024-25.

Northern Arizona University World Rankings 2024-25

Northern Arizona University (NAU) maintains a consistent presence in global university rankings, reflecting its commitment to quality education and research. In the 2024-25 QS World University Rankings, NAU ranked in the 1001-1200 band. These rankings underscore NAU’s growing reputation across diverse academic disciplines.

Here’s how Northern Arizona University has performed over the years in various rankings.

Here’s a graphical representation of Northern Arizona University rankings:

The university has shown notable progress in global rankings between 2023 and 2025. According to the QS World University Rankings, it improved from the 1201–1400 band in 2023 to the 1001–1200 range in both 2024 and 2025, indicating steady growth in global visibility and academic metrics. 

The Times Higher Education (THE) ranked the university in the 501–600 band in 2024, although it wasn’t listed in 2023 or 2025, which may reflect changing participation or eligibility criteria. 

The U.S. News & World Report included the university for the first time in 2025 at #244, suggesting recent improvements in performance indicators such as faculty credentials, graduation rates, and regional reputation.

Overall, the data points to a university that’s gradually gaining traction in the global academic space, particularly over the last two years.

Rankings matter, but the right fit matters more. See how Northern Arizona University aligns with your goals, book your free 1:1 counseling appointment with upGrad and take the next step today.

In addition to its overall global standing, it's important to consider how the rankings of Northern Arizona University impact specific fields of study.

Subject-Wise Ranking of Northern Arizona University

Northern Arizona University (NAU) holds notable subject-specific rankings from various official bodies, reflecting its academic strengths. According to U.S. News & World Report, NAU ranks #174 in the Computer Science graduate program, marking it as one of the university’s top-performing disciplines. 

Below is a breakdown of the subject-specific Northern Arizona University Rankings 2025 for different agencies:

QS Rankings

Northern Arizona University (NAU) holds a stable position in the QS World University Rankings 2025, reflecting its steady global academic reputation and research presence. Notably, NAU is ranked #89 in Linguistics, showcasing its strength in this field. Here’s the ranking of various subjects based on the QS ranking:

Here’s the ranking of various subjects based on the QS ranking.

THE (Times Higher Education) Rankings

Northern Arizona University (NAU) demonstrates academic strengths in various fields, as highlighted by the Times Higher Education Subject Rankings 2025. It excels in Arts and Humanities, Education, and Engineering, securing a competitive ranking of #41 in Ecology. These rankings reflect NAU’s strong reputation in diverse academic disciplines.

Here’s how different subjects at NAU rank based on THE rankings.

U.S. News Rankings

Northern Arizona University (NAU) is recognized for its steady academic performance and growing reputation, particularly in its Nursing program, which is ranked #218 for Best Nursing Programs in 2025. Here's a look at the ranking for this popular program at NAU:

Beyond traditional academic rankings, NAU also earns recognition in various other categories, which we'll explore next.

Visit our Northern Arizona University Admission Page to explore application requirements, deadlines, and helpful tips. Start planning your academic journey today!

Miscellaneous Ranking 2025

In 2025, Northern Arizona University received recognition from several ranking systems, indicating its widespread academic appeal and standing. NAU is ranked #501–600 in the ARWU (Shanghai Rankings) 2025, demonstrating its popularity and significant presence among students.

Here’s the performance of Northern Arizona University in different rankings. 

Northern Arizona University has solid global rankings, with its overall position in the ARWU (Shanghai Rankings) falling between #501–600 and #286 in the CWUR. 

The university shines in specific areas, ranking #41 in Ecology, #101–150 in Atmospheric Science, and #151–200 in Business Administration, showcasing its academic strengths in environmental science, business, and STEM. 

However, its QS World University Sustainability ranking at #875 suggests there’s potential for improvement in sustainability efforts. Overall, NAU excels in targeted fields but could enhance its broader global presence.

The Northern Arizona University rankings 2025 reflect the university’s commitment to excellence, but they only tell part of the story. Let’s now highlight the accomplishments that set NAU apart.

Northern Arizona University: Excellence and Achievements

Northern Arizona University (NAU) has established itself as a leading institution famous for academic rigor, diverse programs, and impactful research. With a consistent presence in major national and global rankings, NAU continues to enhance its reputation as a center of excellence and innovation.

Academic Excellence and National Recognition

Academic excellence is reflected in its strong graduate employment outcomes. It is 42.2% for undergraduate students. Beyond graduation outcomes, NAU encourages students to participate in Annual performances and exhibitions. 

Here’s a look at its academic achievements.

Community and Lifestyle Recognitions

Northern Arizona University offers an inclusive campus environment where students are encouraged to engage, lead, and grow.

With over 350 recognized student organizations, NAU provides countless opportunities for students to connect with peers who share their interests. This can help you develop leadership skills, and make meaningful contributions to campus life.

NAU’s vibrant student life is supported by resources and traditions that celebrate involvement and leadership. Key highlights are as follows:

Cultural and Creative Excellence

NAU’s commitment to Cultural and Academic Research is reflected in initiatives such as the CARE Program. It also holds over 300 performances and exhibitions, leading to a vibrant studying experience.

The table below demonstrates the cultural achievements at NAU in detail.

While rankings are a crucial factor, you must consider them alongside other metrics, such as acceptance rate, to get a fuller picture of the university's selectivity and appeal. Let’s discuss it in the next section.

Northern Arizona University: Ranking V/S Acceptance Rate

Northern Arizona University (NAU) holds a stable position in global and national rankings, reflecting its consistent academic quality and growing reputation. NAU’s acceptance rate is approximately 91%, indicating a moderately selective admissions process aligned with its ranking status.

Here are the acceptance rates for different programs:

Understanding the methodologies behind these rankings is key to interpreting their significance. Let's now take a closer look at how these rankings are determined.

Ranking Methodologies

University ranking methodologies provide transparent and comparable assessments of higher education institutions worldwide, using a range of quantitative and qualitative indicators. Major ranking bodies such as QS, Times Higher Education (THE), and ARWU each employ distinct criteria and weightages to evaluate universities.

QS World University Rankings

The QS World University Rankings is one of the most prestigious global ranking systems, evaluating over 1,500 universities annually across multiple focus areas. Its methodology incorporates both reputational surveys and objective data, including academic reputation, employer reputation, faculty/student ratios, and research impact.

Here are the criteria used in QS World University Rankings.

Times Higher Education (THE) Rankings

The Times Higher Education (THE) World University Rankings are among the most respected global university rankings. It assesses research-intensive institutions across their core missions. 

THE evaluates universities based on five key areas: Teaching (learning environment), Research Environment, Research Quality, International Outlook, and Industry Engagement.

Here are the criteria used by THE rankings.

U.S. News and World Report Rankings

U.S. News & World Report is a widely respected authority on college and university rankings, using a comprehensive methodology that emphasizes student outcomes, social mobility, and academic excellence. The 2025 rankings reflect a shift toward prioritizing factors such as graduation rates and post-graduate success.

Here are the criteria used in U.S. News and World Report Rankings.

The rankings above represent a university's ability to provide quality education and outcomes to students, based on measures such as employability and industry applications.

With a comprehensive understanding of Northern Arizona University's rankings 2025, we can now wrap up and reflect on the university's standing in the broader academic community.

Conclusion

As of 2025, Northern Arizona University (NAU) continues to be a well-recognised institution for its academic excellence, value, and diverse campus community. In the latest global and national rankings, NAU is placed in the 1001-1200 band by QS World University Rankings 2025. 

It also scored #244 among National Universities by U.S. News & World Report, and #501-600 in the ARWU (Shanghai Ranking) 2024. NAU also holds a strong position in the Center for World University Rankings (CWUR), ranked #826 globally and within the top 4% of universities worldwide.

The Northern Arizona University rankings 2025 reflect the university’s commitment to quality education, research, and student success. This makes it a respected choice for both domestic and international students.