Civil Engineering at Northern Arizona University

Northern Arizona University's civil engineering graduates start at $66,589—below both the state median of $69,655 and the national benchmark of $69,574. In a state with only three civil engineering programs, NAU ranks at the bottom, earning about $4,000 less annually than graduates from Arizona State or University of Arizona. That gap persists four years out, when NAU graduates earn $72,348 compared to ASU's $70,721 initially (though ASU grads likely see similar growth). The 9% earnings growth is steady but unremarkable for engineering.

The saving grace here is debt: at $28,000, it's actually higher than both state and national medians, but the debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.42 remains manageable. NAU graduates can reasonably expect to handle these loans even with below-average starting salaries. The university's 91% admission rate and 30% Pell grant population suggest it serves students who might not access Arizona's flagship programs, making the question less "is this the best option?" and more "does it provide a viable path to engineering?"

For families considering NAU over ASU or U of A, understand you're likely trading $4,000-5,000 in annual earnings for a more accessible admission process. If your student has competitive stats for the flagships, the earnings difference over a career could be substantial. If NAU represents their best shot at an engineering degree, the program delivers reasonable outcomes—just not top-tier ones.