Non-Profit Private
Accredited · Western Association of Schools and Colleges Senior Colleges and University Commission
San Diego, California
National University — Admission Snapshot 2026
A complete at-a-glance picture of every metric that matters for your 2026 application
$37,116Annual Cost
$67,548Grad Salary
25.5%Pell Grant
Selectivity
Open Enrollment
Institution Type
Non-Profit Private
Campus
Main Campus
Accredited By
Western Association of Schools and Colleges Senior Colleges and University Commission
SAT Middle 50%
-40–30
Need-Based Aid
25.5% receive Pell
National University provides accelerated degree programs for working professionals. Founded in 1971, NU features monthly course starts.
The university excels in education and healthcare administration programs. NU's 'Military Division' serves over 25,000 service members annually.
National University Acceptance Rate
National University maintains an inclusive admission policy. With an acceptance rate of 100%, the institution prioritizes accessibility and opportunity for all qualified students.
Admissions Guidelines
- Inclusive Enrollment: Emphasis is placed on meeting basic eligibility and high school completion.
- Launchpad Policy: Ideal for students looking to build a GPA for future transfer or career certification.
Selectivity at a Glance
Open Enrollment
Selectivity scale: Open Enrollment — rate not reported
Most Selective (0%)Open Enrollment (100%)
If your GPA is slightly below the institutional average, you can remain competitive by scoring well on standardized tests and showcasing leadership in co-curricular activities.
Data verified via IPEDS, College Scorecard (Nov 2025) and the Common Data Set (CDS). Expert Review led by Sohaib Khan and Dr. Waseem.
National University Application Deadlines & Admission Dates 2026
National University follows a Rolling Admissions policy, meaning applications are reviewed as they arrive and there is no single fixed deadline, though the priority deadline of March 16 is recommended for the best chances of admission and financial aid.
Key Admission Dates
⏳ 246 days left — Scholarship Priority
Rolling Admissions — Apply Anytime
National University reviews applications continuously throughout the year. Seats and scholarships are awarded on a first-come, first-served basis, so applying early gives you a significant advantage for both admission and financial aid.
Scholarship Priority
March 16
💡 The scholarship deadline (March 31, 2026) often falls before the regular admission deadline. Submit your application and FAFSA early to be considered for maximum aid.
Deadlines are verified from official institutional sources but may change each cycle. Always confirm final dates on the official website.
Check Your Admission Chances at National University
Admission Chance Predictor
Real-Time Sensitive Analysis — based on National University's verified institutional data
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Calculating Profile...
Adjust the sliders to see how every decimal point affects your outcome.
Your SAT Score 1200
Your Unweighted GPA 3.00
⚠️ Note: Predicting based on regional averages as this institution does not publicly report full score datasets.
Calculated via College Portal's Human-Intelligence (HI) Methodology & Editorial Standards. Verified by Sohaib Ahmad Khan.
National University Test Requirements
In this competitive environment, standardized scores are no longer elective; they serve as a critical standardized benchmark to validate high school GPA and course rigor. Applicants should aim for scores within or above the middle 50% range of the 2026 admitted class to remain viable in the Holistic Review process. At institutions that remain test-optional, submitting a high-percentile score is still the primary strategy for securing merit-based scholarships and distinguishing one's profile in a high-volume applicant pool.
Can I Get Into National University Without SAT or ACT?
The admission test score (SAT/ACT) policy for National University is unknown. But it is better to submit the test score if you have performed well in the test. It gives an extra opportunity to showcase your skills and competencies and hence will improve your chances of admission. Normally, students may appear in the test 4 to 5 times to improve their scores. But if your score is not up to the mark and is less than the national or state average, then it is better not to submit the score as it will impact negatively.
Your 2026 Admissions Roadmap for National University
Inclusive Strategy: Success & Transfer
National University provides an open gateway to higher education. Success here is about utilizing resources and planning your long-term academic or career trajectory.
Use the one-course-per-month structure deliberately - it suits a specific learning style, not every working adult
National University's signature format has students complete a single course at a time in a compressed, accelerated monthly cycle rather than juggling several concurrent classes across a traditional semester - genuinely different from typical online program structures, including National's own peer for-profit/nonprofit competitors. A prospective student should honestly assess whether intensive, single-subject focus (high short-term workload, narrow time window per course) fits their learning style better than a lighter concurrent-course load spread across more weeks, since the format itself - not just the online delivery - is the defining structural choice here.
Confirm National's nonprofit, WSCUC-accredited status directly - it changes the institutional-risk conversation relative to for-profit competitors
National University is a private nonprofit institution accredited by the WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC) - the same regional accreditor overseeing Stanford and UCLA - and has held continuous accreditation since 1977, a materially different regulatory profile than for-profit competitors facing federal scrutiny. A family comparing National University against for-profit alternatives in the same accelerated-online space should verify this nonprofit/WSCUC status directly with National and treat it as a genuine differentiator in the risk conversation, not just marketing language.
For military-affiliated students, use National's no-additional-cost monthly start dates and GI Bill structure as a real scheduling advantage
National's Military Division serves over 25,000 service members annually with one-month classes specifically designed for service members' deployment and duty-station schedules, accepts Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits, and holds a Military Friendly School Gold-level designation - though as a private institution, it does not offer Army or Navy ROTC. An active-duty or veteran student should ask specifically about the military-tailored monthly course calendar (rather than the general civilian calendar) since National structures this scheduling specifically around military life rather than treating service members as a subset of the general adult-learner population.
For credit-heavy adult learners, confirm exactly which prior-learning credits transfer before enrolling - National accepts an unusually broad mix
National accepts transfer credit from regionally accredited institutions, military training programs, Excelsior College exams, DSST/Dantes, CLEP general and subject exams, and ACE recommendations - a notably broad acceptance policy compared to many peer institutions that limit prior-learning credit to one or two of these categories. A student with military training, professional certifications, or standardized-exam credit (CLEP, DSST) should request a formal transfer-credit evaluation specifically itemizing each source before enrolling, since National's breadth here is a real, usable advantage for compressing time-to-degree.
Expert Insight:
National University's reported acceptance-rate figures are wildly inconsistent across sources - ranging from 24% to 50-59% to 100% depending on the aggregator, reflecting confusion between National's open-admission undergraduate policy (any student meeting basic high school completion requirements is admitted) and more selective program-specific or graduate-level criteria. A family should disregard any single quoted acceptance-rate figure and instead confirm directly with National which programs use open admission versus competitive review, since the number varies enormously depending on which program is being described.
National University Profile
Full Name
National University
City
San Diego
State
California
ZIP Code
92123
Type
Non-Profit Private
Campus
Main Campus
Official Website
Accredited By
Western Association of Schools and Colleges Senior Colleges and University Commission (WASCSR)
Is a National University Degree Worth It?
Getting into National University can be a great opportunity for many students. It is a prestigious institution known for its strong programs. However, whether it is worth it depends on your personal and academic goals, as well as your financial situation. National University offers a rigorous academic environment and access to cutting-edge research, but it may not be the best fit for everyone. It's important to consider factors such as cost, location, and specific academic programs when making this decision.
Please note that the average household income of the admitted students at National University is $64,800 and the graduate unemployment rate is 4.41%.
How much does a degree from National University Cost?
The average annual cost of the degree at National University is $37,116. As most of the students receive Pell Grants and Federal Grants the average annual net price a student has to pay at National University is much less than this.
25.5% of the students are receiving Pell Grant and 22.8 percent are receiving Federal Grants. So it is a better choice to go to National University and apply for PELL or federal loan grants.
At National University, you will have no problem receiving any scholarship from the federal government. Fill in the FAFSA application form at the earliest and enlist National University as your choice in the form.
How much does a National University Graduate earn?
The average annual salary of the graduate after 4–6 years of graduation is $67,548. An average National University graduate makes this much after 10 years of enrollment (4–6 years after graduation).
The average annual income of a graduate in the United States is $40,595.
Degree Programs at National University
Bachelor Degree Programs
Full list of all degree programs offered by National University →
Frequently Asked Questions About National University Admissions
Graduates of this university typically earn a moderate salary, $67,548 annually, with some fluctuation based on the field.
The tuition fee at this university is moderate, around $37,116 per year. Many students seek financial aid and scholarships to manage the cost.
25.5% of students receive a Pell Grant at this institution. Your chances of need-based aid are moderate and depend primarily on your household income. Filing FAFSA early significantly improves your chances of receiving the maximum available grant amount.
The application deadline for National University is March 16. The institution also offers Rolling Admissions, so applying early improves your chances.
The application fee for National University is 60. Fee waivers may be available for eligible students.
The scholarship priority deadline is March 31, 2026. Submit your FAFSA before this date for maximum aid consideration.
Yes, many students successfully transfer each year. Be prepared with your academic transcripts, recommendation letters, and a solid personal statement to make your application competitive.
To improve your chances, focus on excelling academically, building a strong extracurricular profile, and submitting standout essays. High SAT/ACT scores are also crucial for competitive admissions.