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San Diego , CA
National University is a private, nonprofit institution with its main campus located in La Jolla, California. Established in 1971, it is one of the largest private universities in California and has a strong reputation for providing accessible higher education opportunities to adult learners. National University offers a wide range of undergraduate and postgraduate programs, including associate's, bachelor's, and master's degrees, as well as credentials and certificates in various fields of study.
One of the distinctive features of National University is its flexible and convenient learning options. With an emphasis on adult education, the university offers a range of online and on-campus programs that cater to the needs of working professionals and non-traditional students. The online programs at National University have received accolades for their high quality and are known for their interactive and engaging learning experiences. Additionally, the university boasts small class sizes, allowing for personalized attention and meaningful interactions with faculty.
National University prides itself on being a leader in innovative education. The university has several specialized schools and colleges, including the Sanford College of Education, School of Business and Management, School of Engineering and Computing, School of Health and Human Services, and College of Letters and Sciences. With a focus on practical skills and career readiness, the university combines academic excellence with real-world experience, equipping students with the knowledge and skills needed to succeed in their chosen fields. Overall, National University's commitment to providing accessible, flexible education has made it a popular choice for adult learners seeking to advance their careers or explore new academic opportunities.
Located in San Diego, CA and set in an urban environment, National University is a private university. This institution follows a continuous calendar. The freshman retention rate at National University is 53% and the six-year graduation rate is 50%.
Here are some latest information on important things to consider about National University.
Quick Facts
11,297
Total Number of Undergraduate Students
$13,320
Tuition
16:1
Student to Faculty Ratio
50%
Graduation Rate
Admissions
Knowing as much as possible about the school's criteria for admission increases your chances of getting admitted. Check out some important data about admission policy and requirements at National University.
As far as admission difficulty is considered, based on data self-reported by the institution this school is relatively noncompetitive.
Retention Rate
The percentage of new students at a college or university who stay on for their second year is known as the freshman retention rate. That information can tell you if the majority of freshmen liked their first year enough to come back.
As reported in 2025, the freshman retention rate for National University was 53%.
Another important metric to consider is the graduation rate. This rate indicates how many students finish their degrees within a certain timeframe. The six-year graduation rate at this institution stands at 50%.
Student Body
It is never easy to figure out which school is the best match for you. You can get a better insight into a school's culture and life by finding out more about its student body.
Main Student Body
In 2025, the institution enrolled 31,604 students.
That year, the institution had 29% of students coming from another state. The number of transfer students at this school was 2,370.
Student Population Gender Ratio
With a coeducational student body, the school had 6,688 male and 12,017 female full-time students in 2025.
Student Population Diversity
In order to enhance a sense of inclusion and belonging among its students, higher education is dedicated to increasing student diversity. In a diverse learning space, you will be exposed to people from different backgrounds, which promotes the feeling of inclusion and acceptance. Find out more about different ethnic groups you can meet at National University.
In 2025, out of the total number of students enrolled at the institution, the number of students of Asian origin was 791, while the number of Black American students was 1,928. 3,505 undergraduate students at this school identified as Hispanic/Latino and 299 as multirace. The school also had 104 students who declared as Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander, as well as 87 American Indian or Alaska Native students. There were also 1,034 students whose ethnicity is unknown.
Cost
Before sending an application to any college or university, the financial component should be taken into account. The most recent data reported regarding the expenses for attending this school are detailed below.
Tuition and Fees
Here are some numbers that can help you better understand the estimated tuition price for this university.
As a full-time domestic student, you were required to pay tuition of $13,320 in 2025. As this is a private institution, there is no difference in tuition for out-of-state or international students.
Books and Supplies
The estimated cost of books and supplies for a college or university should also be taken into account as another significant financial factor. The cost of books and supplies for full-time students of this school is estimated at about $936.
Boarding
Before you apply to a college or university, you should, among other things, think about the price of a dorm room and cafeteria meals. What do colleges and universities typically charge for accommodation and meals?
At National University, the 2025 annual cost of room and board (on campus) was $30,361. The cost of a dorm room only at this school in 2025 totaled $19,215 for one academic year. The estimated expense of room-only (on campus) for commuters not living at home was also $19,215.
| Expense Category | Amount |
|---|---|
| Tuition | $ 13,320 |
| Room and Board | $ 30,361 |
| Book and Supplies | $ 936 |
| Total Expense | $ 44,617 |
Financial Aid
Financial support for students comes in different forms: grants, loans, scholarships, or work-study programs. If you wish to find out more about need-based and non-need-based aid at National University, here are some recent data you should take into consideration.
The most recent figures show that financial help was given to 11 freshmen. The average financial aid package awarded to students amounted to $12,809.
Need-based
If you need help with paying for your studies and you meet some eligibility requirements, you may be eligible for need-based aid.
There were 1,479 students who secured need-based financial aid of any kind. Need-based college-administered scholarship and grant aid at National University isn't available to international students. The total number of students (including freshmen) who were determined to have financial need came to be 1,943. The amount of federal need-based scholarships/grants awarded to the students at this institution reached $20,313,611, and state $1,685,471. The students of National University received the -institutional need-based aid in the amount of $126,533, and external in the amount of $5,000.
$4,188
Average Amount of Aid Received
Non-Need Based
Any financial aid given to a student who does not meet the requirements for need-based aid is considered non-need-based aid. Non-need-based student aid typicaly comes in a form of Direct Unsubsidized Stafford Loans, Graduate PLUS Loans, Parent PLUS Loans, and the Teacher Education Access for College and Higher Education (TEACH) Grant.
814 students, including freshmen, were awarded institutional non-need-based scholarship or grant aid at this institution in 2025. Institutional grants or scholarships that are not based on financial need were given to 8 full-time freshman. The total amount of institutional scholarships and awards that were not based on financial need was $16,933,082. This includes endowment, alumni, other institutional awards, and also external funds awarded by the institution, but doesn't include athletic aid and tuition waivers. $81,959 was the amount that the students at this institution got from external sources (like Kiwanis and National Merit).
Majors
Faculty
16:1
Student to Faculty Ratio
The student-to-faculty or student-to-professor ratio is the number of students compared to the number of professors at a school.
According to the most recent data, the student-faculty ratio at National University was 16:1: that means 16 students per one teacher. The total number of faculty teaching at the institution is 3,012. This number included 1,267 male and 1,745 female faculty members. The fact that female faculty members outnumber the male ones at this school is telling of the importance gender equality has at National University.
Student Population Diversity Graph
Campus Life
It is not all about learning and grades at National University: campus life is a crucial component of your educational experience. Check out some details about social life at National University.
Student Services
National University has a number of services necessary for a comfortable and safe life on campus.
In addition, other services like Veteran's Affairs are available to the students of National University.
All in all, campus life at National University is rich and vibrant and provides all you need for a comfortable stay.
Career Services
Having career services at a college or university can mean a great deal for your career planning, so find out what you can expect at National University.
Career Counselling
At National University, there is both group career counseling for all students and individual career counseling for all students. There are a library, a job bank, and job fairs. Job interviews are also available to students through the career center. The career center offers resume preparation and resume referral to employers.
FAQ
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National University is located in San Diego, CA.
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National University doesn't offer need-based college-administered scholarship and grant aid to international students.
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The overall full-time tuition per academic year for National University is 13,320 USD, based on the most recent data.
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The most recent data indicate that the freshman retention rate for National University is 53%.
Contact Information
Data Source: IPEDS and Peterson's Databases © 2023 Peterson's LLC All rights reserved. Portions of this content were co-written with OpenAI's GPT-3.5 model.
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Data Source: IPEDS and Peterson's Databases © 2023 Peterson's LLC All rights reserved.
Portions of this content were co-written with OpenAI's GPT-3.5 model.