Northern Arizona University
Comprehensive ROI analysis based on tuition costs, graduate earnings, financial aid, and long-term earning potential.
ROI Summary
Total 4-Year Cost
$50,608
In-state tuition x 4
Earnings Premium
$12,308/yr
vs high school diploma avg
Break-Even Point
4.1 years
After graduation
20-Year ROI
386%
Return on investment
ROI Analysis
One year after graduation, Northern Arizona University graduates earn a median salary of $45,100. The annual tuition cost for in-state students is $12,652. The median debt for graduates is $19,000. The debt-to-income ratio is approximately 0.42.
Five years after graduation, the median salary increases to $47,308. Ten years after graduation, the median salary is $54,384. Given the median debt of $19,000 and the one-year earnings, the break-even point, or the time it takes to earn the equivalent of the debt, is less than half a year.
Generated from College Scorecard & IPEDS data
The Numbers
Annual Tuition (In-State)
$12,652
Median Debt at Graduation
$19,000
Median Earnings (5yr)
$47,308
Graduation Rate
58%
Receive Financial Aid
33%
Avg Aid Amount
$0
Program-Level ROI
| Program | 4yr Cost | Median Earnings (5yr) | Est. 20yr ROI |
|---|---|---|---|
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities. | $50,608 | $48,759 | 444% |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. | $50,608 | $75,641 | 1506% |
| Biology, General. | $50,608 | $45,255 | 305% |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | $50,608 | $53,570 | 634% |
| Psychology, General. | $50,608 | $40,983 | 136% |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods. | $50,608 | $43,754 | 246% |
| Public Health. | $50,608 | $50,875 | 527% |
| Criminology. | $50,608 | $46,048 | 337% |
| Educational Administration and Supervision. | $50,608 | $62,658 | 993% |
| Hospitality Administration/Management. | $50,608 | $44,293 | 267% |
| Finance and Financial Management Services. | $50,608 | $62,091 | 971% |
| Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication. | $50,608 | $47,861 | 408% |
Peer Comparison
386%
20yr ROI
362%
20yr ROI
252%
20yr ROI
353%
20yr ROI
364%
20yr ROI
Financial Aid Impact
Before Aid
After Aid (Estimated)
Methodology
ROI calculations are based on data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. The earnings premium is calculated as the difference between median graduate earnings and the national average earnings for high school diploma holders ($35,000).
The 20-year ROI formula: ((Earnings Premium x 20) - Total Cost) / Total Cost x 100. Break-even point: Total Cost / Annual Earnings Premium. All figures use in-state tuition and do not account for inflation, opportunity cost, or financial aid variations.