San Diego, CA · Private University
Is National University Worth It?
ROI analysis based on real earnings and cost data
Key Numbers
10-Year Earnings
$67,548
median, 10 years after enrollment
In-State Tuition
$13,320
per year
Out-of-State Tuition
$13,320
per year
Total 4-Year Cost
$53,280
tuition only (4 years)
ROI Ratio
5.07x
earnings ÷ annual tuition
Payback Period
1.6 yrs
years to recoup total cost
Graduation Rate
50.0%
6-year graduation rate
Median Debt
$25,000
at graduation
Avg Net Price
$31,058
after aid & scholarships
Earnings vs. Annual Cost
10-year median earnings compared to annual tuition
National University graduates earn $22,548 more than the national median of workers with any education level.
What You'd Actually Pay
Average net price after grants and scholarships, by family income
Source: IPEDS net price data. Actual costs vary based on individual financial circumstances.
Highest-Earning Majors
Top programs at National University ranked by graduate earnings
19 graduates
521 graduates
17 graduates
26 graduates
33 graduates
Earnings shown are 4-year post-graduation medians where available, otherwise 1-year medians.
ROI by Major at National University
All available majors ranked by graduate earnings. Your major matters as much as your school.
Your major matters more than your school
At National University, the gap between the highest-earning major (Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions: $101,494) and the lowest (Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods: $42,374) is $59,120/yr, bigger than the difference between many schools.
| Major | Earnings | ROI |
|---|---|---|
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment ProfessionsBest ROI | $101,494 | 7.6x |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | $97,661 | 7.3x |
| Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering(1yr data) | $93,417 | 7.0x |
| Computer Science | $87,481 | 6.6x |
| Management Information Systems and Services | $85,671 | 6.4x |
| Public Administration | $85,093 | 6.4x |
| Business/Corporate Communications | $69,428 | 5.2x |
| Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research and Allied Professions | $67,037 | 5.0x |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $65,522 | 4.9x |
| Health and Medical Administrative Services | $62,287 | 4.7x |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities(1yr data) | $57,429 | 4.3x |
| Health Services/Allied Health/Health Sciences, General | $57,228 | 4.3x |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | $55,598 | 4.2x |
| Accounting and Related Services | $55,550 | 4.2x |
| Psychology, General | $54,307 | 4.1x |
| Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication(1yr data) | $50,070 | 3.8x |
| Public Health | $49,794 | 3.7x |
| Homeland Security | $49,301 | 3.7x |
| Multi-/Interdisciplinary Studies, General | $48,775 | 3.7x |
| Sociology | $45,370 | 3.4x |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and MethodsLowest | $42,374 | 3.2x |
Earnings are 4-year post-graduation medians where available, otherwise 5-year or 1-year. ROI = earnings ÷ annual tuition.
The Bottom Line
National University stands out as a strong financial investment among U.S. colleges. Graduates earn $67,548 10 years after starting, $22,548 above the national median of $45,000. The investment pays for itself in roughly 1.6 years, faster than most colleges.
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Earnings data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Tuition data from IPEDS. ROI calculations are for informational purposes only and reflect median outcomes.