National University
Tuition, net price, admissions, graduation rate, and graduate salary · San Diego, California
Net price / year
$22,878
after grants & scholarships
higher than 51% of private nonprofit 4-year colleges
Acceptance rate
Open admission
accepts most applicants
Graduation rate
42%
within 150% of normal time
lower than 79% of private nonprofit 4-year colleges
Median earnings
$81,115
4 years after graduating
higher than 89% of private nonprofit 4-year colleges
National University at a glance
- What is the tuition at National University?
- Undergraduate tuition and fees are $13,284 for the 2024-25 academic year.
- What is the cost of attendance at National University?
- The average cost of attendance is $33,978 a year before financial aid (2023-24), counting tuition, books, housing and other living expenses.
- What is the net price at National University?
- The average net price is $22,878 a year after grants and scholarships, for students receiving federal aid (2023-24).
- What is the acceptance rate at National University?
- This school has open admission: most applicants who meet basic requirements are accepted.
- What is the graduation rate at National University?
- 42% of first-time, full-time students finish within 150% of normal time, or 6 years (entering classes through fall 2018).
- How much do graduates of National University earn?
- The median graduate earns $81,115 four years after finishing, among graduates working and not enrolled (2024 dollars).
Key takeaways
- Graduates earn a median $81,115 four years after finishing, more than 89% of private nonprofit 4-year colleges.
- The earnings premium over a typical high-school graduate would cover the estimated net cost in about 2.1 years of work (not counting income forgone while studying).
- This school has open admission, so most applicants who meet basic requirements are accepted.
- About 82% of undergraduates are 25 or older.
- 42% of students finish within 150% of normal time, lower than 79% of private nonprofit 4-year colleges.
Tuition and cost of attendance at National University
Average net price
$22,878 per year
Cost of attendance minus average grants and scholarships, for first-time full-time students receiving federal aid.
Estimate your own price with the National University net price calculator ↗
Estimated total net cost
$91,512
Net price × 4 years, at today's prices and assuming on-time completion. Your actual cost depends on your aid.
Net price by family income
Average yearly net price for students receiving federal aid.
- $0–30k $21,554
- $30–48k $26,583
- $48–75k $25,176
- $75–110k —
- $110k+ —
Where the sticker price goes· Cost of attendance $33,978
- Tuition & fees$13,284
- Books & supplies$936
- Room & board$23,076
- Other expenses$6,192
- Tuition & fees (in-state)
- $13,284
- Tuition & fees (out-of-state)
- $13,284
National University acceptance rate and admissions
Open admission
The school admits most applicants who meet basic requirements.
Graduation rate and salary after graduating from National University
Graduation rate
42%
First-time, full-time students finishing within 150% of normal time.
Retention rate
53%
Full-time first-years who return the next fall.
Typical monthly payment
$265
On a standard 10-year federal plan.
Years of earnings premium to cover cost
2.1 years
Net cost ÷ (graduate earnings − high-school graduate earnings). Excludes income forgone while studying and assumes today's earnings. A rough guide, not a prediction.
Earnings vs debt
Of graduates working and not enrolled, in 2024 dollars.
- Debt-to-earnings
- 0.3×Median debt divided by median earnings 4 years after graduating.
- Share of pay going to loans
- 3.9%
- 3-year loan default rate
- 0%
Outcomes by student group
The Scorecard reports some outcomes separately for groups of students. A group is left out when it is too small to report. These are school-level figures and say nothing about any individual student.
Completion within 150% of normal time, by group
Share of students who entered in 2018 and completed within 150% of normal time (six years at a four-year college, three at a two-year college).
All students, same entering cohort: 43%
Group rates and the all-student rate come from the same 2018 entering cohort, so they can be compared directly. Groups at small colleges can rest on very few students. Data period: Entering cohort 2018 (IPEDS).
Earnings ten years after entry
All students who entered this college, whether or not they graduated, in 2022 dollars, ten years after entry.
Typical range: middle half of students
25th percentile $42,112 · median $67,548 · 75th percentile $100,253
Median by family income
Median by sex
This is not the same as the graduates' earnings shown above. It covers everyone who entered, including students who left without a degree, ten years after entry and in 2022 dollars. The graduates' figure covers only completers, four years after finishing, in 2024 dollars. Do not compare the two directly.
Data period: Students who entered in academic years 2009-10 and 2010-11 (pooled), earnings measured in 2020 and 2021, 2022 dollars (Treasury).
Median federal student debt, by group
Median federal loan debt of students who borrowed, when they left school, by group.
By Pell Grant status
By first-generation status
By family income
By gender
Data period: Loans in fiscal years 2020 and 2021 (pooled, NSLDS).
How borrowers are doing
One year after leaving school and entering repayment, here is where the 5,024 federal-loan borrowers from this college stood. It covers borrowers only, not students who did not take federal loans.
Repayment status one year after entering repayment
- Paid in full 5%
- Making progress 9%
- Not making progress 13%
- Delinquent 2%
- Default 0%
- Forbearance 55%
- Deferment 13%
- Discharged 2%
What the terms mean
- Paid in full:
- The borrower has paid off the loans completely.
- Making progress:
- Payments are reducing the loan balance, not just covering interest.
- Not making progress:
- The borrower is paying, but not enough to shrink the balance.
- Delinquent:
- Payments are late but the loan is not yet in default.
- Default:
- The borrower has missed payments for so long that the loan is officially in default.
- Forbearance:
- Payments are temporarily paused or reduced, and interest may keep adding up.
- Deferment:
- Payments are on hold for an approved reason, such as returning to school.
- Discharged:
- The loan was cancelled, for example because of a disability or a school closure.
5,024 borrowers · Data period: Borrowers who entered repayment in the AY2018-19 and AY2019-20 cohorts (pooled, NSLDS).
Programs and majors at National University ranked by earnings
| Program | Earnings, 4 yrs after | Earnings over time | Compared with the U.S. median for this field | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions Bachelor's · Graduates: 22 Small sample | $121,408 | 1 yr$92,7484 yrs$121,4085 yrs$108,041 | U.S. median $70,786 U.S. middle half $50.9K–$95.9K · Above the U.S. median | — |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing Bachelor's · Graduates: 487 | $114,413 | 1 yr$99,7144 yrs$114,4135 yrs$108,119 | U.S. median $88,910 U.S. middle half $67.9K–$114.5K · Above the U.S. median | $33,928 |
| Electrical, Electronics, and Communications Engineering Bachelor's · Graduates: 21 Small sample | $100,721 | 1 yr$93,4174 yrs$100,721 | U.S. median $100,647 U.S. middle half $84.6K–$122.4K · Above the U.S. median | — |
| Manufacturing Engineering Bachelor's · Graduates: 19 Small sample | $97,525 | — | U.S. median $88,451 U.S. middle half $72.6K–$102.2K · Above the U.S. median | — |
| Bachelor's · Graduates: 42 | $95,555 | 1 yr$87,3834 yrs$95,5555 yrs$84,278 | U.S. median $107,009 U.S. middle half $74.8K–$152K · Below the U.S. median | $31,812 |
| Computer/Information Technology Administration and Management Bachelor's · Graduates: 77 | $94,203 | 4 yrs$94,2035 yrs$78,572 | U.S. median $85,063 U.S. middle half $59.3K–$117.6K · Above the U.S. median | $32,813 |
| Management Information Systems and Services Bachelor's · Graduates: 41 | $94,118 | 1 yr$92,7584 yrs$94,1185 yrs$95,650 | U.S. median $83,290 U.S. middle half $58.8K–$111.6K · Above the U.S. median | $28,687 |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections Bachelor's · Graduates: 113 | $81,299 | 1 yr$64,1434 yrs$81,2995 yrs$57,213 | U.S. median $55,378 U.S. middle half $40.2K–$74.4K · Above the U.S. median | $25,000 |
| Bachelor's · Graduates: 45 | $80,134 | 1 yr$63,9634 yrs$80,1345 yrs$61,254 | U.S. median $70,193 U.S. middle half $51.2K–$95.4K · Above the U.S. median | $23,437 |
| Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research and Allied Professions Bachelor's · Graduates: 35 | $79,900 | 1 yr$55,5624 yrs$79,9005 yrs$73,278 | U.S. median $75,975 U.S. middle half $60.9K–$92.3K · Above the U.S. median | $27,906 |
Show all 24 programs
| Accounting and Related Services Bachelor's · Graduates: 68 | $79,696 | 1 yr$61,0374 yrs$79,6965 yrs$65,188 | U.S. median $76,194 U.S. middle half $56.2K–$97.2K · Above the U.S. median | $31,249 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations Bachelor's · Graduates: 330 | $78,266 | 1 yr$61,2994 yrs$78,2665 yrs$70,412 | U.S. median $68,257 U.S. middle half $47.6K–$93.6K · Above the U.S. median | $28,125 |
| Cell/Cellular Biology and Anatomical Sciences Associate · Graduates: 27 Small sample | $77,786 | — | — | $10,453 |
| Health Services/Allied Health/Health Sciences, General Bachelor's · Graduates: 25 Small sample | $76,305 | 1 yr$55,6794 yrs$76,3055 yrs$62,690 | U.S. median $61,296 U.S. middle half $42.8K–$82.3K · Above the U.S. median | $28,334 |
| Bachelor's · Graduates: 93 | $70,340 | 1 yr$52,0574 yrs$70,3405 yrs$55,472 | U.S. median $58,808 U.S. middle half $42K–$79.2K · Above the U.S. median | $34,156 |
| Bachelor's · Graduates: 142 | $66,849 | 1 yr$38,5234 yrs$66,8495 yrs$56,955 | U.S. median $50,706 U.S. middle half $35.7K–$67.2K · Above the U.S. median | $28,062 |
| Bachelor's · Graduates: 38 | $64,860 | 1 yr$46,5054 yrs$64,8605 yrs$54,674 | U.S. median $52,657 U.S. middle half $37.7K–$69.5K · Above the U.S. median | $27,687 |
| Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness Bachelor's · Graduates: 18 Small sample | $62,748 | — | U.S. median $54,562 U.S. middle half $39K–$73K · Above the U.S. median | — |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities Associate · Graduates: 65 | $60,134 | 1 yr$41,5454 yrs$60,1345 yrs$63,201 | U.S. median $44,125 U.S. middle half $28.9K–$61.6K · Above the U.S. median | $10,500 |
| Health and Medical Administrative Services Bachelor's · Graduates: 52 | $59,956 | 1 yr$64,3824 yrs$59,9565 yrs$66,002 | U.S. median $58,716 U.S. middle half $41.9K–$80.4K · Above the U.S. median | $35,147 |
| Bachelor's · Graduates: 25 Small sample | $59,645 | — | U.S. median $50,680 U.S. middle half $36.3K–$66.7K · Above the U.S. median | $29,687 |
| English Language and Literature, General Bachelor's · Graduates: 19 Small sample | $59,192 | 4 yrs$59,1925 yrs$47,654 | U.S. median $48,590 U.S. middle half $33.7K–$63.8K · Above the U.S. median | $23,342 |
| Multi-/Interdisciplinary Studies, General Bachelor's · Graduates: 61 | $58,727 | 1 yr$34,0124 yrs$58,7275 yrs$57,291 | U.S. median $50,532 U.S. middle half $33.7K–$70.5K · Above the U.S. median | $31,250 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods Bachelor's · Graduates: 221 | $53,761 | 1 yr$40,0804 yrs$53,7615 yrs$49,988 | U.S. median $47,382 U.S. middle half $38.4K–$56.1K · Above the U.S. median | $31,250 |
Earnings are for graduates working and not enrolled, 4 years after completing, in 2024 dollars.
The U.S. median and middle half (25th to 75th percentile) are for graduates of the same field and credential level at all colleges, 4 years after completing.
The 1-year, 4-year and 5-year figures come from different graduating cohorts and dollar years (1-year: AY2018-19 and AY2019-20 graduates, 2022 dollars; 4-year: AY2017-18 and AY2018-19 graduates, 2024 dollars; 5-year: AY2014-15 and AY2015-16 graduates, 2022 dollars), so read them as three separate measures, not a single career path.
Small samples are noisy: the Scorecard adds privacy noise to program figures and some rows are based on only a handful of graduates, so rows marked “small sample” can move a lot from year to year.
What students study
The largest fields among the degrees and certificates this college awarded, grouped by two-digit CIP code (the federal Classification of Instructional Programs). Fields under 1% are left out.
Share of degrees and certificates awarded, by field
A large share means many awards, not necessarily many students or higher earnings. Data period: Awards in academic year 2024-25 (IPEDS).
Who attends
A snapshot of the undergraduate student body as this college reported it to the federal government. Shares are shown as published; they can differ slightly from 100% because of rounding.
Race and ethnicity
- White 28.5%
- Black or African American 17.7%
- Hispanic or Latino 32.4%
- Asian 7.3%
- American Indian or Alaska Native 0.8%
- Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander 1%
- Two or more races 2.7%
- U.S. nonresident 0%
- Race and ethnicity unknown 9.5%
Federal reporting categories. Students who are not U.S. citizens or permanent residents are counted as nonresident, and students who did not report are counted as unknown. Data period: Fall 2024 (IPEDS).
Gender
- Men 47.2%
- Women 52.8%
Federal reporting uses two categories. Data period: Fall 2024 (IPEDS).
Students aged 25 or older
82%
of undergraduates
Many adult students work or have families while enrolled. Data period: Fall 2023 (IPEDS).
Students and campus
- Undergraduate enrollment
- 10,794
- Part-time students
- 41%
- Receive Pell Grants
- 29%
- Receive federal loans
- 25%
- Students per faculty member
- 16 : 1
- Setting
- City
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Frequently asked questions
How much is tuition at National University?
For the 2024-25 academic year, National University reported undergraduate tuition and fees of $13,284. This is the published price before grants and scholarships; what you pay depends on your aid.
What is the cost of attendance and net price at National University?
The average cost of attendance at National University is $33,978 a year (2023-24), counting tuition, books, housing and other living expenses. After grants and scholarships, the average net price is $22,878 a year. That is around the middle of private nonprofit 4-year colleges.
How much financial aid do students at National University get?
29% of undergraduates receive Pell Grants. 25% receive federal loans.
What is the acceptance rate at National University?
National University has open admission: it accepts most applicants who meet basic requirements.
What are the graduation rate and retention rate at National University?
42% of first-time, full-time students at National University finish within 150% of normal time. 53% of full-time first-years return the next fall.
How much do National University graduates earn after graduation?
The median graduate earns $81,115 four years after finishing, among graduates working and not enrolled in further study (2024 dollars). One year after finishing, the median is $66,420.
Is National University worth it?
There is no single answer: it depends on your major, your aid and whether you finish. For National University, the data shows this. The earnings premium over a typical high-school graduate would cover the estimated net cost in about 2.1 years of work. Graduates who borrowed have a median debt of $25,000, about 0.3 times their median earnings four years after finishing. 42% of first-time, full-time students finish within 150% of normal time. These are averages, not predictions, and they do not count income forgone while studying.
How much debt do National University graduates have?
Graduates who borrowed have a median federal-loan debt of $25,000, or about $265 a month on a 10-year plan.
Sources and data periods
All figures come from the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard (June 2026 release). Periods differ by measure:
- Average net price: AcadYr 2023-24, reported in IPEDS DCY2024-25
- Acceptance rate: Fall 2024, reported in IPEDS DCY2024-25
- Graduation rate: Fall 2018 or AcadYr 2018-19 cohort (differs by institutional calendar), reported in IPEDS DCY2024-25 pooled with previous years (# of total pooled years found in POOLYRS)
- Median earnings: Treasury AY2017-18, AY2018-19 pooled cohort measured in CY2022, CY2023, inflation adjusted to 2024 dollars
- Median graduate debt: NSLDS FY2020, FY2021 pooled cohorts
Some figures are blank because the school did not report them or the group was too small to publish. How we calculate things