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National University

#1 Best Online Nursing Programs in California
Private nonprofit San Diego, CA · Urban · Far West · 87% data
A Diversity A Earnings C+ Value
Graduation Rate
42% D+
Lower completion rate than most colleges
Earnings (10yr)
$67,548 A
Top 9% nationally — exceptional earning power
Net Price
$22,878 D+
34% more than the typical college
Enrollment
10,794
Earnings +66% vs avg
Graduation -26% vs avg
Net Price 34% vs avg
Mobility Top 91%

Bottom line: A C overall grade — average outcomes for a U.S. college. 15.6× return on investment — every $1 spent returns $15.6 over 20 years. Ranked #1 in Best Online Nursing Programs in California.

15.6× return on investment

Every $1 spent returns $15.6 over 20 years — debt pays back in ~under a year. Net gain: $1,332,005.

What The Data Says

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

  2. Graduates earn 66% more than the national college median.

  3. Graduation of 42% — 26% below the national average.

  4. Every $1 invested returns $15.6 over 20 years — an exceptional return.

About National University

National 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 University
Carnegie Class
Master's University
Enrollment
10,794
Setting
Urban
Designations
HSI
Primary Strengths
Business & Marketing, Health Professions, Psychology, Criminal Justice

Why students choose National University

Exceptional earning outcomes
Graduate earnings in the top 9% of colleges
Strength in Business & Marketing
Its most-awarded field of study

CollegeRanker Report Card

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

C
Top 50% overall
A
Earnings
$67,548 median
C+
Value
3.0× net price
D+
Affordability
$22,878/yr net
D+
Graduation
42% graduate
F
Social Mobility
0.7% climb Q1→Q5
A
Diversity
0.78 index

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

How we grade →
1
Can I Get In?

Admissions

Open / non-selective

This school does not report a competitive admit rate — most qualified applicants are admitted.

Check your odds →
2
Can I Afford It?

Net price + aid

D+
$22,878/yr net

Students pay about $22,878 a year after grants and scholarships — 34% above the typical U.S. college. See net price by family income below.

See cost & aid →
3
What Happens After?

Earnings + debt

A
$67,548 median

Graduates earn a median of $67,548 ten years after enrolling — 66% above the typical college, against $25,000 in median debt.

See outcomes →
4
Does It Change Lives?

Mobility + social capital

F
0.7% climb

Moves 0.7% of its students from the bottom income fifth to the top — top 91% nationally for mobility.

See mobility →

Overview

National University graduates earn an average of $67,548 within ten years of completing their degree. This earning potential makes it an attractive option for students considering their financial future. With an enrollment of nearly 10,800 students, the university supports a diverse body of learners focused on practical career paths.

The Chetty/Opportunity Insights data isn't available for National University, but the school's graduation rate stands at 42%. This figure indicates that while many students complete their degrees, others may face challenges that hinder their progress. Understanding these dynamics can help prospective students prepare for their academic journey.

With a net price of $22,878 and a median debt of $25,000, students should weigh their financial commitments carefully. Those who thrive here often pursue degrees in Health Professions, Business & Marketing, Criminal Justice, Psychology, and Humanities. This school may appeal to students looking for career-focused programs that can lead to solid earning potential.

Rankings

Can I Get In?

How selective National 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 University? Acceptance Rate & Requirements

National University, located in San Diego, California, enrolls students across a range of programs. The graduation rate is roughly 42%.

Retention Rate
53%
Full-Time Faculty
11%
Faculty Salary (mo)
$9,332
Student–Faculty Ratio
16:1
Diversity Index
0.78
First-Gen Students
44%

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 University? Tuition, Net Price & Aid

Published tuition at National University is $13,284, 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 $22,878. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $21,554 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $25,000 in federal student loans.

In-State Tuition
$13,284
Out-of-State
$13,284
Avg Net Price
$22,878
Median Debt
$25,000
Pell Grant Rate
29%
Federal Loan Rate
25%

What Families Actually Pay

Family Income $0–$30K
$21,554
Family Income $30K–$48K
$26,583
Family Income $48K–$75K
$25,176

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 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 University Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI

Ten years out, alumni of National University earn a median of $67,548, roughly in line with the national average for college graduates.

6 Years After Entry
$64,331
8 Years
$65,775
10 Years
$67,548
Debt-to-Earnings
0.37x
Earning > $25K
77%

Earnings Trajectory

$64,331 6yr $65,775 8yr $67,548 10yr

Graduation by Timeframe

100% (1)
4%
100% (1)
4%
100% (1)
4%
100% (1)
4%

How National Compares

Dot right of center = above national average.

NATIONAL AVGGraduation42%Earnings 10yr$68KNet Price$23KRetention53%Median Debt$25KPell Grant Rate29%

Net Price by Family Income

What families actually pay after aid, by income bracket.

$22K$0-30K$27K$30-48K$25K$48-75K

The Mobility Equation

Mobility = Access x Success. How many low-income students get in, and how many reach the top 20%?

ACCESS% from bottom 20%30.4%SUCCESS% who reach top 20%2.3%MOBILITY0.70%

College ROI Calculator

Is National University Worth It?

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

Yes — for most students, National University delivers a positive return. Over four years, the typical net price is $22,878/year ($91,512 total). Graduates earn $67,548 at ten years, and over a 20-year career we project $1,423,517 in total earnings — a net gain of $1,332,005 (15.6× your investment). The median debt is $25,000, which takes less than a year to pay back at typical earnings. With a 42% graduation rate, the path to that return is well-tested. This is a exceptional ROI compared to national averages.

Total Cost (4yr)
$91,512
Projected 20yr Earnings
$1,423,517
Net Return
$1,332,005
ROI Multiple
15.6×
Cost Per Year
$22,878
Median Debt
$25,000
Debt Payback
Less than 1 yr
Graduation Rate
42%
Explore all National University ROI scenarios

Does It Change Lives?

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

Social Mobility

Data: Raj Chetty's Mobility Report Card · 30M+ anonymized tax records

Does National University Drive Upward Mobility? Economic Mobility & Low-Income Outcomes

National University is a measurable contributor to upward mobility. Its mobility rate, the share of students who start in the bottom income quintile and climb to the top, is 0.70%, in line with strong performers nationally. Access is a real strength here. Roughly 30.4% of students come from families in the bottom income quintile, a high share that gives low-income students a real foothold. Among bottom-quintile students who attend, roughly 2.3% go on to reach the top of the income ladder. The median family income of students sits near $39,100, a snapshot of the campus's socioeconomic mix.

Mobility Rate
0.70%
Bottom 20% → Top 20%
Success Rate
2.3%
If bottom 20% get in
From Bottom 20%
30.4%
Share of students
Parent Median Income
$53,123
today's $ (2015 cohort data)

Institutional Finances

Data: NCES IPEDS

Federal Grants
$462,260
Investment Income
$-159,331,559

Top Programs

The fields National 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.

Top Careers

Where these majors tend to lead — common career paths for National University's most popular programs, ranked by median pay with our proprietary scorecard insights.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

National University, located in San Diego, California, enrolls students across a range of programs. The graduation rate is roughly 42%.

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

Published tuition at National University is $13,284, 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 $22,878. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $21,554 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $25,000 in federal student loans.

Is National University Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI

Ten years out, alumni of National University earn a median of $67,548, roughly in line with the national average for college graduates.

Does National University Drive Upward Mobility? Economic Mobility & Low-Income Outcomes

National University is a measurable contributor to upward mobility. Its mobility rate, the share of students who start in the bottom income quintile and climb to the top, is 0.70%, in line with strong performers nationally. Access is a real strength here. Roughly 30.4% of students come from families in the bottom income quintile, a high share that gives low-income students a real foothold. Among bottom-quintile students who attend, roughly 2.3% go on to reach the top of the income ladder. The median family income of students sits near $39,100, a snapshot of the campus's socioeconomic mix.

Similar Schools

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

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

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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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