National University
#1 Best Online Nursing Programs in CaliforniaBottom 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.
Every $1 spent returns $15.6 over 20 years — debt pays back in ~under a year. Net gain: $1,332,005.
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What The Data Says
A C overall — outcomes trail most U.S. colleges on measured metrics.
Graduates earn 66% more than the national college median.
Graduation of 42% — 26% below the national average.
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
- Health Professions, Business & Marketing, Criminal Justice, Psychology
Why students choose National University
CollegeRanker Report Card
Graded on outcomes, against every U.S. college.
Each grade is this school's national percentile on a real outcome — earnings, value, mobility, and more.
How we grade →Admissions
This school does not report a competitive admit rate — most qualified applicants are admitted.
Check your odds →Net price + aid
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 →Earnings + debt
Graduates earn a median of $67,548 ten years after enrolling — 66% above the typical college, against $25,000 in median debt.
See outcomes →Mobility + social capital
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.
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 school reports a graduation rate of roughly 42%.
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
When weighing the true cost of attending National University, prospective students should look past the published sticker price of $13,284 in tuition. The figure that matters more is the average net price — the actual out-of-pocket cost after federal grants, institutional scholarships, and student loans — which works out to about $22,878 for families who qualify for aid. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $21,554 after need-based grants. Graduates leave with a median federal student-loan debt of about $25,000.
What Families Actually Pay
What Happens After?
Earnings, debt, and where graduates actually land.
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 national averages for graduates.
Earnings Trajectory
Graduation by Timeframe
How National Compares
Dot right of center = above national average.
Net Price by Family Income
What families actually pay after aid, by income bracket.
The Mobility Equation
Mobility = Access x Success. How many low-income students get in, and how many reach the top 20%?
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.
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 genuine 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 useful read on the campus's socioeconomic mix.
Institutional Finances
Data: NCES IPEDS
Top Programs
The fields National University awards the most degrees in, by share of completions. Each links to its degree guide — with salary, growth, and the schools with the strongest outcomes.
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 school reports a graduation rate of roughly 42%.
How Much Does It Cost to Attend National University? Tuition, Net Price & Aid +
When weighing the true cost of attending National University, prospective students should look past the published sticker price of $13,284 in tuition. The figure that matters more is the average net price — the actual out-of-pocket cost after federal grants, institutional scholarships, and student loans — which works out to about $22,878 for families who qualify for aid. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $21,554 after need-based grants. Graduates leave with a median federal student-loan debt of about $25,000.
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 national averages for 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 genuine 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 useful read on the campus's socioeconomic mix.
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