Private Nonprofit Graduate Good 59/100

National University

See admissions data, costs, student outcomes, and academic programs, all verified from official US government sources.

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San Diego, California

About National University

National University is a private nonprofit institution offering graduate degrees based in San Diego, California. It enrolls 10,794 students (a large student body), according to IPEDS 2023-24 data. Below you'll find verified data on admissions, cost, student outcomes, programs offered, and what graduates typically earn, all pulled from the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard and IPEDS.

Acceptance
Graduation
45.3%
Net Price
$22,878
Median Earnings (10yr)
$67,548
Enrollment
10,794
Student : Faculty
16:1

Accreditor Western Association of Schools and Colleges Senior Colleges and University Commission
Academic Calendar Other Academic Year

How It Measures Up

US College Data scores each college on four pillars (outcomes, value, affordability, and selectivity) on a 0–100 scale, ranked within its peer group (4-Year Open / Online). Scores are calculated from verified College Scorecard and IPEDS data, not opinion or paid placement. Where data is missing, that pillar isn't scored.

Good
59/100
UCD Score · 4-Year Open / Online
Outcomes 46
Value 44
Affordability 28
Selectivity

Admissions & Acceptance Rate

Admissions data is not yet reported for National University.

Acceptance Rate
SAT Range (25th–75th)
Not reported
ACT Range (25th–75th)
Not reported

5-Year Admission Trend

Acceptance rate over the last five admission cycles. The trend tells you whether National University is getting harder, easier, or staying about the same.

89.5%201989.4%202054.5%2021

Cost & Financial Aid

The real cost of attending National University isn't the sticker price. It's the net price,which is what most students actually pay after grants and scholarships. According to College Scorecard 2023-24 data, the average net price is $22,878 per year. That's in line with the typical net price for private nonprofit colleges nationally.

Average Net Price
$22,878
Per year, after typical aid
Receive Pell Grants
29%
Need-based federal aid
Receive Federal Loans
25%
Borrowing to attend

Full Cost Breakdown

Published cost of attendance, the sticker price before grants and scholarships. Most students underestimate room & board and other expenses.

Tuition & Fees
$13,284
Room & Board (off-campus)
$23,076
Books & Supplies
$936
Other Expenses (off-campus)
$6,192
Total Cost of Attendance
$33,978

Net Price by Family Income

Aid is need-based, so net price varies by family income. Here's what each bracket typically pays after grants and scholarships.

  • Under $30,000
    $21,554
  • $30,001 – $48,000
    $26,583
  • $48,001 – $75,000
    $25,176

Debt at Graduation

Cumulative federal-loan debt across the full borrowing distribution. The 10th and 90th percentiles bracket the typical range; the median sits in the middle.

$4,083
10% percentile
$7,000
25% percentile
$25,000
Median percentile
$29,688
75% percentile
$39,500
90% percentile

Median Debt by Student Type

Median federal-loan debt at graduation broken down by demographic. Each slice's size is proportional to the dollar amount that group typically borrows.

GroupDebtvs Median
Pell recipients $23,438 ↓ $1,562
No Pell $12,500 ↓ $12,500
Dependent students $13,863 ↓ $11,137
Independent students $20,057 ↓ $4,943
Female students $19,683 ↓ $5,317
Male students $18,252 ↓ $6,748
Pell recipients: 21.7% (5,436 students)No Pell: 11.6% (2,899 students)Dependent students: 12.9% (3,215 students)Independent students: 18.6% (4,652 students)Female students: 18.3% (4,565 students)Male students: 16.9% (4,233 students)Overall Median$25,000
Worth knowing: Students who don't finish leave with a median debt of $10,500, less than completers ($25,000), but still a meaningful obligation without a degree in hand.

Graduation Rate & Retention

45% of full-time students who enrolled at National University graduate within six years, and 53% return for their second year, per IPEDS 2023-24 completion data.

6-Year Graduation Rate
45%
Of students who graduate within six years
First-Year Retention
53%
Returning for their second year

After Graduation: Earnings & Outcomes

According to College Scorecard 2023-24 data, students who entered National University earn a median of $67,548 ten years after first enrolling. That's above the national median for U.S. colleges.

Median Earnings (10 yrs)
$67,548
Earning > $25K
83%
10 yrs after entry

Earnings Growth After Graduation

Median annual earnings 6, 8, and 10 years after students first enrolled.

$64,000$65,000$66,000$67,000$68,0006 yrs8 yrs10 yrs

Earnings by Demographic

Mean annual earnings 10 years after entry, segmented by demographic. Reveals gaps the headline median can't show.

By Gender

Female graduates
$54,800

Median earnings for female grads ten years after first enrolling here.

Male graduates
$66,400

Median earnings for male grads ten years after first enrolling here.


By Family Income at Entry

Family income (lowest third)
$53,300

Earnings of grads from the bottom-third of family incomes at entry.

Family income (middle third)
$61,800

Earnings of grads from the middle-third of family incomes at entry.

Family income (highest third)
$64,700

Earnings of grads from the top-third of family incomes at entry.

The gender gap: Male graduates earn $11,600, about 17% more than female graduates ten years out. The gap reflects industry mix, role choice, and structural pay differences that exist across most US colleges.

Loan Repayment Progression

Share of completer-cohort borrowers paying down at least $1 of principal at the 1-, 3-, 5-, and 7-year mark. Climbing rates show graduates settling into careers and managing debt; flat or declining rates are a warning.

Climbing: graduates increasingly paying down debt 22.7 pts across 6 years
49.6%1yr57.8%3yr69.4%5yr72.3%7yr
What this signals: Strong. 72% of graduates are actively reducing their debt seven years out.

Who Studies Here

National University is home to 10,794 students, a large student community. Some distinctive traits: 44% are first-generation college students, 41% study part-time.

Total Enrolled
10,794
Part-Time
41%
First-Generation
44%

Race & Ethnicity Breakdown

Undergraduate student body composition reported to the US Department of Education.

GroupShareStudents
Hispanic 32.4% 3,496
White 28.5% 3,080
Black 17.7% 1,915
Asian 7.3% 790
Other 4.5% 486
Hispanic: 32.4% (3,496 students)White: 28.5% (3,080 students)Black: 17.7% (1,915 students)Asian: 7.3% (790 students)Other: 4.5% (486 students)Total10,794

Student Life & Campus Culture

Where students live, learn, and connect at National University. The campus setting, housing profile, and signals that shape day-to-day life here.

Setting
Large City San Diego, California
Housing
Commuter campus No on-campus housing
Adult Learners
82% of students are 25 or older
Athletics
NAIA athletic-conference member
Academic Calendar
Other Academic Year scheduling structure
Designation
Hispanic-Serving Institution (HSI)

What You Can Study

National University offers an extensive catalog of programs: 90 distinct programs across 21 majors. Below are its strongest majors, each with flagship programs and typical earnings. Open a major to explore it in depth, or browse the full program catalog.

13 Programs
13 Programs
2 Programs
4 Programs
3 Programs
4 Programs

Faculty & Resources

The student-to-faculty ratio at National University is 16:1, close to the national average.

Student : Faculty
16:1
Students per instructional faculty member
Endowment
$1.0B
Strong financial cushion supports aid and stability
Avg Faculty Salary
$83,200
9-month equivalent across all ranks

Faculty by Rank

351 instructional faculty across 4 ranks. The rank mix shows how many senior faculty are teaching versus contingent or junior staff, with average salary equated to a 9-month contract.

Rank Faculty Count Share Avg Salary
Full Professors 187 53% $91,355
Associate Professors 92 26% $76,666
Assistant Professors 58 17% $71,940
Instructors 14 4% $63,852

Pros & Cons of National University

A quick at-a-glance summary of how National University tends to stack up for prospective students,weighing its data, size, setting, and cost profile together.

PROS
  • Reasonable class sizes
  • Above-average post-graduation earnings
  • First-gen-friendly student body
CONS
  • Above-average net price
  • Below-average completion rate
  • First-year retention is below typical
Best for: Based on the data, National University is a fit for working adults or students needing part-time study options; students prioritizing post-graduation earnings.

Frequently Asked Questions about National University

Quick answers to the questions most students and parents ask. Every answer below is calculated from verified government data about National University.

How much does National University cost?
The average net price after aid at National University is $22,878 per year, this is what students typically pay after grants and scholarships are applied. Net price data: College Scorecard 2023-24.
Is National University worth it?
Moderate return on investment. Graduates earn a median of $67,548 ten years after entering, against an average net price of $22,878 per year. That's roughly 3.0x earnings-to-cost. Source: College Scorecard 2023-24.
What is National University known for?
National University is best known for its programs in Counseling Psychology, Education, General, Business Administration. These are the most popular fields by completed degrees, per IPEDS 2023-24 completion data.
What do National University graduates earn?
Median earnings 10 years after entering National University are $67,548, based on College Scorecard 2023-24 federal earnings data for Title IV recipients.
Is National University accredited?
Yes. National University is accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges Senior Colleges and University Commission.
How many students attend National University?
National University enrolls 10,794 students, per IPEDS 2023-24 fall enrollment data.
What is the graduation rate at National University?
National University graduates 45% of full-time students within six years, per IPEDS 2023-24 completion data.
Is National University a public or private college?
National University is a Private Nonprofit institution.
Where is National University located?
National University is located in San Diego, California.
What programs does National University offer?
National University offers 90 distinct programs. The most popular include Counseling Psychology, Education, General, Business Administration.
What is the student-to-faculty ratio at National University?
The student-to-faculty ratio at National University is 16:1, per IPEDS 2023-24 data.

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