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National Louis University logo
Private nonprofit Chicago, IL · Urban · Great Lakes · 93% data
B Diversity B- Value B- Affordability
Graduation Rate
33% D
Lower completion rate than most colleges
Earnings (10yr)
$45,799 C+
Roughly in line with national averages
Net Price
$12,641 B-
26% less than the typical college
Acceptance Rate
95% D
Accessible to most qualified applicants
Earnings +12% vs avg
Graduation -42% vs avg
Net Price +-26% vs avg

Bottom line: A C overall grade — average outcomes for a U.S. college. 19.1× return on investment — every $1 spent returns $19.1 over 20 years. Ranked #2 in Best Online Nursing Programs in Illinois.

19.1× return on investment

Every $1 spent returns $19.1 over 20 years — debt pays back in ~under a year. Net gain: $916,012.

What The Data Says

  1. A C overall — outcomes trail most U.S. colleges on measured metrics.

  2. Graduation of 33% — 42% below the national average.

  3. Every $1 invested returns $19.1 over 20 years — an exceptional return.

About National Louis University

National Louis University is profiled below with full outcomes data from federal sources.

Interpretation generated from this school's federal outcomes, research, and mobility data.

Institutional Profile

Institution Type
Private Doctoral / Professional University
Carnegie Class
Doctoral/Professional
Enrollment
4,406
Setting
Urban
Designations
HSI
Primary Strengths
Education, Health Professions, Business & Marketing, Culinary & Personal Services

Why students choose National Louis University

Strength in Education
Its most-awarded field of study

CollegeRanker Report Card

Graded on outcomes, against every U.S. college.

C
Top 47% overall
C+
Earnings
$45,799 median
B-
Value
3.6× net price
B-
Affordability
$12,641/yr net
D
Graduation
33% graduate
D
Selectivity
95% admit rate
B
Diversity
0.68 index

Each grade is this school's national percentile on a real outcome — earnings, value, mobility, and more.

How we grade →

Overview

National Louis University has an acceptance rate of 95%, making it accessible to a wide range of students. This high acceptance rate indicates a commitment to welcoming diverse applicants, particularly those who may face barriers to higher education. The university serves around 4,406 students, focusing on a supportive learning environment.

Data from Opportunity Insights highlights that while detailed mobility metrics are not available, the university's focus on programs like Education and Health Professions suggests a pathway for upward mobility. Graduates can expect to earn an average of $45,799 a decade after enrollment, which reflects the potential for stable employment in these fields. However, the graduation rate stands at only 33%, indicating that many students do not complete their degrees.

In terms of cost, the average net price at National Louis University is $12,641, with a median debt of $19,750 for graduates. This financial landscape suggests that while students may incur some debt, the return on investment could be favorable given the potential earnings. The university attracts students who are motivated to pursue degrees in practical fields, especially those who are looking for flexible learning options and supportive faculty.

Rankings

Can I Get In?

How selective National Louis University is — and how your numbers stack up.

Tool

Will I Be Accepted?

Enter your credentials to see your chances at this school.

3.0
Test Score
1050
21

Academics & Admissions

Is It Hard to Get Into National Louis University? Acceptance Rate & Requirements

National Louis University, located in Chicago, Illinois, admits most of the students who apply; the acceptance rate is roughly 95%. The graduation rate is roughly 33%.

Acceptance Rate
95%
Retention Rate
50%
Full-Time Faculty
98%
Faculty Salary (mo)
$6,891
Student–Faculty Ratio
15:1
Diversity Index
0.68
First-Gen Students
50%
Applicants
3,181
Admitted
2,928

Can I Afford It?

What you'll actually pay after grants and aid — not the sticker price.

Cost & Financial Aid

How Much Does It Cost to Attend National Louis University? Tuition, Net Price & Aid

Published tuition at National Louis University is $12,705, but few families pay that. The number to watch is net price, what students actually pay each year after federal grants and institutional scholarships. Here it averages about $12,641. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $12,462 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $19,750 in federal student loans.

In-State Tuition
$12,705
Out-of-State
$12,705
Avg Net Price
$12,641
Median Debt
$19,750
Pell Grant Rate
55%
Federal Loan Rate
22%

What Families Actually Pay

Family Income $0–$30K
$12,462
Family Income $30K–$48K
$11,567
Family Income $48K–$75K
$12,996
Family Income $110K+
$17,956

What Happens After?

Earnings, debt, and where graduates actually land.

Students Like You

Tell us a little about yourself to see what students like you have typically experienced at National Louis University — the net price for your income, your admission odds, and the outcomes that follow. These are patterns from federal data, not predictions.

Compare schools in the full simulator →Sources: College Scorecard, Common Data Set, Opportunity Insights · today's dollars (CPI-adjusted) · descriptive, not predictive

Graduate Outcomes

Is National Louis University Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI

Ten years out, alumni of National Louis University earn a median of $45,799, roughly in line with the national average for college graduates.

6 Years After Entry
$43,562
8 Years
$44,485
10 Years
$45,799
Debt-to-Earnings
0.43x
Earning > $25K
71%

Earnings Trajectory

$43,562 6yr $44,485 8yr $45,799 10yr

Graduation by Timeframe

100% (1)
11%
100% (1)
11%
100% (1)
11%
100% (1)
11%

How National Compares

Dot right of center = above national average.

NATIONAL AVGGraduation33%Earnings 10yr$46KNet Price$13KRetention50%Median Debt$20KPell Grant Rate55%

Net Price by Family Income

What families actually pay after aid, by income bracket.

$12K$0-30K$12K$30-48K$13K$48-75K$18K$110K+

College ROI Calculator

Is National Louis University Worth It?

A data-driven look at the return on your educational investment — using real federal data.

Yes — for most students, National Louis University delivers a positive return. Over four years, the typical net price is $12,641/year ($50,564 total). Graduates earn $45,799 at ten years, and over a 20-year career we project $966,576 in total earnings — a net gain of $916,012 (19.1× your investment). The median debt is $19,750, which takes less than a year to pay back at typical earnings. With a 33% graduation rate, the path to that return is well-tested. This is a exceptional ROI compared to national averages.

Total Cost (4yr)
$50,564
Projected 20yr Earnings
$966,576
Net Return
$916,012
ROI Multiple
19.1×
Cost Per Year
$12,641
Median Debt
$19,750
Debt Payback
Less than 1 yr
Graduation Rate
33%

Does It Change Lives?

Mobility, social capital, and innovation — does it move people up?

Institutional Finances

Data: NCES IPEDS

Investment Income
$-5,360,399

Top Programs

The fields National Louis University awards the most degrees in, by share of completions. Where federal field-of-study data exists, we show what graduates in that major earned early in their careers. Each links to its degree guide — or see what someone with your income, scores, and major would pay and earn here in the Students Like You simulator.

Early-career median earnings by major (typically 1–2 years after completion, bachelor's level where available), in today's dollars (CPI-adjusted). Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard field of study. Distinct from the school-wide 10-year median; suppressed for small programs.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is It Hard to Get Into National Louis University? Acceptance Rate & Requirements

National Louis University, located in Chicago, Illinois, admits most of the students who apply; the acceptance rate is roughly 95%. The graduation rate is roughly 33%.

How Much Does It Cost to Attend National Louis University? Tuition, Net Price & Aid

Published tuition at National Louis University is $12,705, but few families pay that. The number to watch is net price, what students actually pay each year after federal grants and institutional scholarships. Here it averages about $12,641. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $12,462 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $19,750 in federal student loans.

Is National Louis University Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI

Ten years out, alumni of National Louis University earn a median of $45,799, roughly in line with the national average for college graduates.

Similar Schools

Schools with similar outcomes, selectivity, and student profiles to National Louis University.

The State of American Higher Education Outcomes for 2026 — report cover Download PDF

The 2026 Annual Report

The State of American Higher Education Outcomes

Every state graded on what graduates earn, how far they climb, and what college really costs — the hidden geography of economic mobility, in one report.

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