Admissions data checked October 9, 2026 by Florida Test Prep.
Northern Arizona University reports a middle 50% SAT of 1010 to 1280 (enrolled, fall 2024). We use 1140 as a first planning target, then adjust it to the student's diagnostic and timeline. It is not an admission requirement or a guarantee.
| Middle 50% SAT | 1010 to 1280 (enrolled, fall 2024) |
| Middle 50% ACT | 20 to 26 |
| Acceptance rate | 89.6% (fall 2024, 35,100 applicants) |
| Testing for 2026-27 | Not required for fall 2027 admission; considered only if submitted |
| Type | Public university |
Source: NAU official admissions data. A middle 50% describes the central half of the reported group, not a cutoff.
NAU's biggest automatic merit award, the Lumberjack Scholars Award, runs on GPA (3.75-4.00), not a test score.
| School | Middle 50% SAT | Acceptance |
|---|---|---|
| Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University (Prescott) | 1180 to 1370 | 68.0% |
| University of Arizona | 1130 to 1340 | 86.1% |
| Northern Arizona University | 1010 to 1280 | 89.6% |
Cohorts differ by school (admitted vs enrolled, and year). See every school with its cohort and source on SAT Scores for Arizona Colleges.
Arizona has no statewide SAT-cutoff scholarship like Florida's Bright Futures; the clearest SAT-tied program in the state is Grand Canyon University's automatic merit grid, which pays more as a student's SAT (or ACT, or unweighted GPA) climbs.
GCU President Award: SAT 1410. $6,000 per year if the student's SAT is 1410+ (or ACT 31+, or unweighted GPA 3.9+); any one of the three qualifies.
GCU Dean Award: SAT 1130. $4,000 per year if the student's SAT is 1130-1294 (or ACT 22-26, or unweighted GPA 3.3-3.69); any one of the three qualifies.
The full rules, deadlines and class years are on our Arizona SAT prep page.
| College | State | Middle 50% SAT |
|---|---|---|
| Washington State University | Washington | 1010 to 1280 |
| East Carolina University | North Carolina | 1060 to 1220 |
| Howard University | District of Columbia | 1050 to 1250 |
| Stockton University | New Jersey | 1050 to 1250 |
A score that is competitive at NAU lands in the same part of the range at these schools. Cohorts differ by school, so read each page's notes before comparing.
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Which of these numbers is your teen's target? Pick the Arizona colleges on their list and get a target score and the gap from today's score in under a minute.
Find my teen's target scoreThere is no published minimum; the middle half of the reported group scored 1010 to 1280. A score at or above 1280 puts a student in the top quarter of that group. A score near 1010 is within the range, and grades, coursework and the rest of the application still decide the outcome.
NAU lists its policy as: Not required for fall 2027 admission; considered only if submitted. Check the official admissions page for your entry term before choosing test dates.
89.6% (fall 2024, 35,100 applicants). Rates vary by program and residency, so read the overall figure as context, not a personal prediction.
No. A middle 50% is a description of last year's group, not a cutoff in either direction. It tells you where a score is competitive, which is the useful part for planning test dates.
Want to know what your teen needs for NAU? Their target, their gap and the weeks to close it are what we map in the free Strategy Session.
Book the free Strategy Session. You leave with your teen's target score, their gap, and a 6 to 12 week plan. Yours to keep either way.
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