Private nonprofit university in San Diego designed for working adults with flexible, blended learning and 100+ online programs.
National University offers associate, bachelor's, master's, and doctoral degrees across six colleges and schools: College of Letters and Sciences, College of Business Engineering and Technology, Sanford College of Education, JFK School of Psychology and Social Sciences, School of Health Professions, and College of Law and Public Service. The university provides over 100 online degree programs and 130+ undergraduate and graduate programs. Classes use blended learning (4-week concentrated or weeknight sessions) and asynchronous online instruction. Student-faculty ratio is 16:1 with a continuous academic calendar.
National University operates 20 campuses across California, with administrative headquarters in La Jolla and academic centers in San Diego, Fresno, West Los Angeles, Oxnard, Rancho Cordova, and San Jose. The student body is diverse: 33% Hispanic/Latino, 30% White, 15% Black/African American, 8% Asian. Approximately 54% female, 40% full-time enrollment, and 69% receive grants or scholarships. The university is part of the National University System, which includes affiliated institutions and research institutes.
National University has open admissions and welcomes adult learners, military personnel, and transfer students. For 2022–2023, tuition and fees were $13,320 annually. The university offers credit for prior learning and flexible pathways including military admissions and credential programs. Undergraduate graduation rate is 71%; graduate graduation rate is 65%.
Accredited by WSCUC (Western Association of Schools and Colleges). Specialized accreditations include IACBE (business), NCATE/CTC (teacher education), CCNE (nursing), ABET (engineering), and CEPH (public health). In 2025, NU received Carnegie Classification recognition for 'Opportunity Colleges and Universities – Higher Access, Higher Earnings.' In 2019, philanthropist T. Denny Sanford donated $350 million, leading to tuition reductions and renaming the School of Education.