About | Northern Arizona University

NAU began as a teachers’ college, and our commitment to building a better tomorrow through education remains our highest priority. Our students, mentored by faculty members who are renowned in their fields, are at the center of all we do.

In the classroom and online, through hands-on experiences in an unparalleled learning environment, and with the NAU community cheering them on, our students discover and hone their ambitions.

Would you prefer to read our about page in Spanish? See acerca de la Northern Arizona University in Spanish for more.

A professor helping a student on his laptop.

NAU’s vision

NAU aims to be the nation’s preeminent engine of opportunity, vehicle of economic mobility, and driver of social impact by delivering equitable postsecondary value in Arizona and beyond.

The New NAU Charter

Two Native American women sitting in a field.

Land acknowledgement

Northern Arizona University sits at the base of the San Francisco Peaks, on homelands sacred to Native Americans throughout the region. We honor their past, present, and future generations, who have lived here for millennia and will forever call this place home.

Students walking outside of the NAU Union.

Locations

We are dedicated to upholding the same high standards of education across all our campuses and statewide locations. Whether you’d prefer to study under Flagstaff’s majestic mountain peaks, among rugged desert landscapes, or in the comfort of your home, we offer a wide variety of options to support your goals wherever you are.

Locations and maps

Founded

1899

in Flagstaff, Arizona

Northern Arizona University

20+

locations

A student sitting on a couch working on her laptop.

130+

online programs

Students walking outside on campus during fall.

NAU’s academic colleges

Our academic colleges house programs in a wide variety of disciplines, including art, education, engineering, forestry, social sciences, and business. The Honors College and the Office of Graduate and Professional Studies also offer robust programming to support students in their career goals.

Explore NAU’s colleges and schools

Students walking outside at the Yuma campus.

46%

of NAU students are the first in their family to attend college

Students collaborating in the Yuma campus library.

#70

in the nation for public institutions without a medical school

National Science Foundation

Students sitting on couches at the Yuma campus library.

More than

28,000

students in Flagstaff, statewide, and online

More facts and stats

Research centers and institutes

A student looking at a vial of blue liquid.

Our faculty, staff, and students are at the forefront of knowledge, conducting interdisciplinary research that has real-world impact.

Accreditation

Northern Arizona University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission through 2027–2028. Some academic programs—such as nursing and teaching—meet additional accreditation and licensure requirements for specific fields.