Northern Arizona University vs Colorado State University-Fort Collins

Northern Arizona University and Colorado State University-Fort Collins are both well-regarded institutions, but they differ in important ways. Here's how they compare across key dimensions.

Admissions: Colorado State University-Fort Collins is more selective with a 89.6% acceptance rate compared to Northern Arizona University's 91.0%.

Cost: Northern Arizona University offers a lower average net price at $14,922, which is $5,410 less than Colorado State University-Fort Collins ($20,332). After financial aid, this can make a significant difference over 4 years.

Career Outcomes: Graduates from Colorado State University-Fort Collins earn a median salary of $60,543 ten years after enrollment, which is $6,159 more than Northern Arizona University graduates ($54,384).

Graduation: Colorado State University-Fort Collins leads with a 66.8% graduation rate, and freshman retention rates are 72.6% vs 84.8%.

Campus Size: Colorado State University-Fort Collins is the larger campus with 25,148 total students, while Northern Arizona University has 23,041.

Bottom Line: Northern Arizona University wins on affordability while Colorado State University-Fort Collins leads in career earnings. Your choice depends on whether upfront cost or long-term ROI matters more.