At $31,058/yr net price, National University graduates earn $67,548/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $33,548/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $31,058 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $124,232 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $67,548/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$33,548/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 3.7 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 50.0% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $25,000 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $30,678/yr |
| $110,001+ | $32,956/yr |
Earnings by Major
Top programs ranked by median earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Computer/Information Technology Administration and Management. | Master | $84,653 | $40,950 |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. | Bachelor | $84,367 | $33,928 |
| Educational Administration and Supervision. | Master | $83,505 | $23,388 |
| Construction Engineering. | Bachelor | $82,440 | |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions. | Bachelor | $81,333 | |
| Manufacturing Engineering. | Bachelor | $78,343 | |
| Public Administration. | Master | $75,989 | $33,712 |
| Public Administration. | Bachelor | $74,576 | $29,181 |
| Management Information Systems and Services. | Master | $73,949 | $20,500 |
| Management Information Systems and Services. | Bachelor | $73,949 | $28,687 |
The Risk Factor
50.0% of students at National University graduate within 6 years. More than half of students finish, but the dropout rate is a real factor in whether this investment pays off.
Analysis
National University gives you a mixed financial picture. The $67,548 median earnings ten years out sits comfortably above the $25,000 median debt, so the typical graduate is not buried. But the $31,058 net price barely moves whether your family earns under $30k or over $110k, and that flat pricing is the core problem here.
The programs that pay off are clear. Nursing leads at over $84k, followed by construction and manufacturing engineering and allied health, all clustered in the high $70s to low $80s. These are San Diego's healthcare and building trades, and the earnings track the local demand. If you enroll for one of these, the return works. Public administration at $74,576 also clears the bar, though it carries higher debt than most.
The risk at this school is not the top programs, it's finishing. A 50% graduation rate and 54% retention mean roughly half of you leave without the degree, and you still owe on the loans you took. Nursing carries the highest debt of the listed programs at $33,928, so a nursing student who drops out faces the worst combination: real debt, no credential.
The flat net price hurts lower-income families most. Paying about $30,678 on a family income under $30k means the cost eats a huge share of what you have, and the sticker barely drops as income falls. If you qualify for Pell, run the aid numbers carefully before committing.
This school fits you if you're set on nursing, engineering, or allied health and confident you'll finish. If you're undecided, price-sensitive at a low income, or unsure about completing, the near-flat cost and coin-flip graduation odds make a cheaper public option the safer money.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is National University worth the cost?
National University's ROI is mixed, with graduates earning $67,548 annually against a net price of $31,058 per year. The 50% graduation rate means half of students don't complete their programs, which significantly increases the financial risk.
What are the best paying programs at National University?
Computer/Information Technology Administration ($84,653) and Nursing programs ($84,367) offer the strongest returns at National University. These programs earn about $17,000 more annually than the school average, making them financially viable options.
How much student debt do National University graduates have?
National University graduates carry a median debt of $25,000, which is manageable compared to the national average. However, this assumes successful graduation, which only happens for half of enrolled students.
Does National University have good financial aid?
With a net price of $31,058 annually, National University's costs remain high even after financial aid. Students should carefully evaluate whether their chosen program's earning potential justifies this expense, especially given the 50% graduation rate.