both internationally and nationally.
In 2024, Washington Monthly ranked NAU 155th among 438 national universities in the U.S. based on NAU's contribution to the public good, as measured by social mobility, research, and promoting public service.
Forbes ranked NAU 297th out of the top 500 rated private and public colleges and universities in America for the 2024–25 report. NAU was also ranked 198th among public colleges and 72nd in the west.
=== Admissions ===
In February 2022, NAU announced the Access2Excellence admissions pilot program. The goal is to increase Arizona high school students' access to college. Previously, NAU, like Arizona State University and the University of Arizona, required 16 core courses for assured admissions. However, not all Arizona high schools offer the 16 core courses, especially in second languages and math. NAU's pilot program removed the second language course availability barrier and will accept more fourth-year math courses, allowing more students the opportunity to pursue …
