NAU vs. La Sierra University

Comparable Facts

Compare Northern Arizona University in Flagstaff, AZ with La Sierra University in Riverside, CA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Northern Arizona University is larger than La Sierra University based on total student enrollment (28,467 students vs. 1,574 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Northern Arizona University is located in Flagstaff, AZ (Small City setting); La Sierra University is in Riverside, CA (Large City setting).
• Northern Arizona University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. La Sierra University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Northern Arizona University 19:1; La Sierra University 12:1.

NAU vs. La Sierra University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, NAU or La Sierra University? 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 Northern Arizona University than La Sierra University ($16,371 vs. $23,848).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at La Sierra University are 6.9% lower than at Northern Arizona University ($13,431 vs. $14,432).
• La Sierra University is 189.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than NAU (about $24,701 more per year; $37,710.00 vs. $13,009.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 26.2% higher at La Sierra University than at Northern Arizona University (about $7,829 more per year; $37,710.00 vs. $29,881.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Northern Arizona University than at La Sierra University (99% vs. 98%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by La Sierra University students is 111.3% larger than aid received by Northern Arizona University students ($27,646 vs. $13,085).

NAU vs. La Sierra University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, NAU or La Sierra University? 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 La Sierra University and NAU.

• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsLa Sierra University 880/1140.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsLa Sierra University 18/28.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: NAU - Test-free; La Sierra University - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: NAU Aug 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman NAU students have a 0.16 point higher average high school GPA (3.7) than students at La Sierra University (3.54).
• La Sierra University has a higher acceptance rate (91.5%) than NAU (89.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 15.8% at NAU vs. 13.3% at La Sierra University.

NAU vs. La Sierra University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for NAU and La Sierra University? 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 La Sierra University's (32%).
• Graduates from La Sierra University earn a median of about $8,000 more per year than NAU graduates about ten years after starting college ($51,900 vs. $43,900), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Northern Arizona University graduates have a $10,000 lower median loan debt than La Sierra University graduates ($20,000 vs. $30,000).
• Among borrowers, NAU graduates have an estimated $104 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than La Sierra University graduates ($206 vs. $310).
• More NAU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former La Sierra University students, three years after graduation. (55% vs. 52%)

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.