NAU Achievements: Top Rankings in Ecology, Nursing, and More

Recognizing Achievements at NAU: Rankings and Honors

Educational institutions often measure their success through various achievements and rankings. Northern Arizona University (NAU) is celebrating several noteworthy accomplishments across its colleges and programs. Here are some highlights of their recent achievements.

The College of Environment, Forestry, and Natural Sciences has secured the 36th spot in the 2026 edition of Research.com’s Best Ecology and Evolution Universities in the World. The rankings are based on bibliometric data specifically calculated for the field of ecology and evolution.

NAU has achieved a national ranking of 149 and a global ranking of 538 in Research.com’s 2026 Best Universities in the World. These rankings are determined through bibliometric data, including publications and citations.

The Maria and Steve Sanghi College of Nursing earned the No. 2 position in the 2027 RNtoBSN.org’s ranking of Arizona RN to BSN programs. This ranking evaluates program quality and outcomes, considering factors like regional accreditation, admissions selectivity, graduation and retention rates.

Soccer player Valerie Llamas received recognition as the Big Sky’s Co-Offensive Player of the Week. NAU also earned an Honorable Mention on TopDrawerSoccer’s National Team of the Week after Llamas scored three goals in recent matches.

The College of Social and Behavioral Sciences‘ Master of Public Administration program has been ranked No. 1 by PublicAdministrationPolicy.org in their 2027 Best Online MPA Programs in Arizona. The assessment considers NASPAA-accredited Arizona MPA programs, analyzing cost, format, career outcomes, and admissions requirements.

The College of Education’s Clinical Mental Health Counseling (CMHC) program achieved the No. 2 ranking in the 2027 MastersInCounseling.org’s list of Best Clinical Mental Health Counseling Master’s Programs in Arizona. The rankings are based on CACREP-accredited programs, costs, formats, and licensure paths.

Sarah Bolander, an assistant professor in the Department of Physical Assistant Studies, has been named in POCN.org’s 2026 America’s Top PA list. This peer-nominated award honors select Physician Associates who have shown leadership by enhancing patient outcomes, supporting the peer community, advancing education, or exhibiting leadership qualities.