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.
AccreditorWestern Association of Schools and Colleges Senior Colleges and University Commission
Academic CalendarOther 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
Outcomes46
Value44
Affordability28
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.
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.
$4,08310%percentile
$7,00025%percentile
$25,000Medianpercentile
$29,68875%percentile
$39,50090%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
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.
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
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
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 CitySan Diego, California
Housing
Commuter campusNo on-campus housing
Adult Learners
82%of students are 25 or older
Athletics
NAIAathletic-conference member
Academic Calendar
Other Academic Yearscheduling 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.
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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