Science Technologies/Technicians at Northern Arizona University

Northern Arizona University's Science Technologies program struggles to match the earning power of similar programs both nationally and within Arizona. With first-year earnings of $44,338, graduates earn about $10,000 less than the state median and rank in just the 25th percentile among Arizona's four programs. That's a significant gap—especially when Arizona State's comparable programs deliver $60,000+ starting salaries. Even within NAU's accessible admission environment (91% acceptance rate), these outcomes deserve scrutiny.

The debt picture provides some relief: at $22,918, it's actually below both state and national medians, and the 0.52 debt-to-earnings ratio is manageable. Graduates should be able to handle their loan payments without excessive strain. The 9% earnings growth over four years is steady, if unspectacular, moving graduates to $48,142—though this still trails the typical Arizona science tech graduate by about $6,000.

For families weighing this program, the question becomes whether NAU's fit and location justify accepting lower earnings potential. The debt is reasonable enough that graduates won't be financially crippled, but they'll likely earn $40,000-$60,000 less over their first four years compared to ASU counterparts. If your child is choosing NAU for specific reasons like campus culture or smaller class sizes, understand they're trading earning power for those benefits. If maximizing early career income is the priority, Arizona State's programs offer substantially stronger returns.