National University
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1971
- HeadquartersLa Jolla, United States
- Headcount1,001–5,000
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
National University firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- National University
- Legal name
- National University
- Website
- http://www.nu.edu/
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1971
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1,001–5,000 employees
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
National University industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Higher Education
- NAICS
- Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools (6113)
- SIC
- Services-Educational Services (8200)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Online Nonprofit Universities (EDAHALAK)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- Comprehensive Doctoral Research Universities (Multi-Disciplinary) (EDAHABAA)
Keywords
Where National University is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- La Jolla
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices2 records
Markets served
National University business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Others
Revenue model
- Tuition and Fees: Revenue generated from undergraduate, graduate, doctoral, certificate, and credential programs. Tuition varies by program level and format (online vs. in-person). The university offers year-round enrollment with 4 and 8-week course formats.
- Workforce and Professional Development: Serving 80,000 students in workforce and professional development programs alongside 50,000 degree-seeking students, generating revenue through continuing education offerings.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Subscription | Annual | Needs-based tuition reduction - Key Grant Scholarship |
| Subscription | Annual | Associate Degree for Transfer Scholarship |
| Subscription | Annual | Military Veterans, Spouses & Dependents Scholarship |
| Subscription | Annual | California Community College Transfer Discount |
| Subscription | Annual | South Orange County Community College District Partnership |
| Subscription | Annual | Whisper Military Spouse Scholarship |
| Subscription | One time/ perpetual license | NU Lakers Scholarship |
| Subscription | Annual | General Scholarship Offerings |
Go-to-market motion3 records
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels7 records
National University product offering
Product offeringCore offering
National University is a private nonprofit institution that delivers accredited online and on-campus degree programs (associate through doctorate), certificates, credentials, and workforce/professional development courses primarily to non-traditional adult learners, military-affiliated students, and community college transfer students. It operates year-round with 4-week and 8-week course formats and uses its Whole Human Education™ approach to combine flexible learning with personalized support and career-relevant outcomes.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Whole Human Education™: National University's educational approach that puts student well-being first by providing flexible learning, personalized support, and lasting career value.
- Harmony Academy
- Sanford College of Education
- JFK School of Law
- JFK School of Psychology
Products and services
- Associate, Bachelor's, Master's, and Doctoral Degree Programs Accredited degree programs from associate to doctorate offered primarily online to non-traditional adult learners, military-affiliated students, and community college transfer students, with flexible 4- and 8-week course formats and year-round enrollment.
- Certificate and Credential Programs Professional certificates and teaching credentials (e.g., Preliminary Multiple/Single Subject Teaching Credential, Early Childhood Education certificates, Certificate in Online Teaching) designed for educators, professionals, and career changers seeking short-cycle credentials.
- Workforce and Professional Development Programs Continuing education, professional development, and workforce training programs serving roughly 80,000 students annually, supporting upskilling and reskilling for working adults and industry professionals.
- Sport Psychology Certificate Self-paced online certificate (~8 hours) for coaches, parents, and caregivers focused on supporting youth athletes' mental well-being, including motivation, emotional regulation, confidence-building, and resilience.
- B.S. Data Science Degree Program Bachelor of Science in Data Science targeted at active-duty military members and Veterans transitioning into data science and AI careers, developed with NSF grant support.
- Peer Navigator Network Peer-to-peer student support service that deploys current adult learners as navigators to help fellow students with engagement, persistence, and completion across all degree levels.
Quantifiable outcome
- 73% more likely to earn an associate degree within three years for peer-supported students
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use National University
Customer profileNamed customers4 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
National University technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature3 records
National University partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Ten partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and minor.
- Dallas CollegecoreRenewed and expanded transfer partnership creating direct pathway for community college students in North Texas to earn bachelor's degrees. Eligible students with associate degree receive guaranteed admission, can transfer up to 60 credits, and qualify for up to 25% tuition reduction with scholarships.
- ZeroMilsmajorPartnered with Georgetown University to host 3rd Annual National Military Thriving Change Forum focusing on empowering veterans, military families, and next-generation service members through education, entrepreneurship, and community collaboration.
- Stephen J. Wampler FoundationmajorFirst-of-its-kind national partnership to integrate disability education into everyday learning experiences. Embeds Foundation's 'Wampler Way' approach into Harmony Academy's PreK-12 curriculum reaching 40 million students across 70,000 schools.
- South Orange County Community College DistrictcoreNew transfer partnership with Irvine Valley College and Saddleback College creating clearer pathways to bachelor's and graduate degrees. Includes up to 46% tuition reduction for ADT students and formalized transfer pathways with dedicated academic advising.
- California Community Colleges Chancellor's OfficecoreStatewide collaboration providing guaranteed-admission bachelor's pathway for all California Community College graduates with associate degree for transfer. Students receive 25% tuition discount and guaranteed credit transfer.
- American Camp AssociationmajorStrategic partnership to expand access to evidence-informed educational resources that strengthen relationships, belonging, and well-being in camp communities. Combines ACA's national leadership with Harmony Academy's Whole Human Education approach.
- BLK OPS FoundationminorPartnership for MIC Unplugged: Los Angeles event bringing Black military leaders to Hollywood for public discussion on leadership evolution after military service.
- MiraCosta CollegecoreMOU to expand educational access and transfer opportunities during National Transfer Student Week. Partnership offers tuition discounts, flexible online options, and dedicated transfer support for students, employees, and alumni.
- Military Thriving Action CoalitioncoreCoalition including National University, Wells Fargo, CVS Health, and Neighborly to change perceptions about military service and spotlight Veteran successes. Part of Military Thriving Change Forum.
- Georgetown UniversitymajorCo-host of 2nd Annual Military Thriving Change Forum in Washington D.C., convening nearly 150 senior leaders to develop community-based solutions empowering Veterans to mentor youth.
Scale indicators9 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
National University competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Western Governors University: Large nonprofit online university serving primarily working adults with competency-based and flexible programs. Closest direct comparable to National University given similar mission, scale, and tuition model.
- Southern New Hampshire University: Private nonprofit with one of the largest online enrollments in the U.S., focused on adult and non-traditional learners. Highly comparable to National University in student demographic and online-first delivery.
- University of Maryland Global Campus: Public online-focused university with strong adult learner and military-affiliated enrollment. Comparable to National University in serving military and transfer students at scale.
- Liberty University Online: Large private university with a major online division enrolling adult and military-affiliated students. Comparable in scale, online delivery, and reliance on military/transfer channels.
- Walden University: Online university focused on working adults pursuing graduate degrees in social sciences, health, and education. Comparable to National University's online adult-learner and graduate portfolio.
- Capella University: Online university offering flexible graduate and undergraduate programs for adult learners. Comparable delivery model and target demographic to National University.
- Purdue University Global: Online-focused university built for working adults, formed from the former Kaplan University. Comparable in adult-learner focus and online-first delivery.
- UMass Global (formerly Brandman University): Private nonprofit online university serving adult learners with strong ties to community college transfer pathways. Closely aligned with National University's transfer strategy.
- Grand Canyon University: Large private university with significant online enrollment serving adult and non-traditional learners. Comparable in scale and reliance on online tuition revenue.
Broad incumbents
- University of Phoenix: Largest for-profit online university historically focused on working adults. Comparable target market and online delivery, but distinct for-profit structure and regulatory history versus National University.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
National University social profiles
Digital presenceNational University financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
National University leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles1 record
National University subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries3 records
National University funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds8 records
Investors4 records
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
National University M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about National University
What does National University do?
National University is a private nonprofit institution that delivers accredited online and on-campus degree programs (associate through doctorate), certificates, credentials, and workforce/professional development courses primarily to non-traditional adult learners, military-affiliated students, and community college transfer students. It operates year-round with 4-week and 8-week course formats and uses its Whole Human Education™ approach to combine flexible learning with personalized support and career-relevant outcomes.
Is National University a public or private company?
National University is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was National University founded?
National University was founded in 1971. It employs 1,001 to 5,000 people.
Where is National University based?
National University is headquartered in La Jolla, United States, in the North America region.
How does National University make money?
Two revenue lines are on record. Tuition and Fees are the primary driver. The others are workforce and Professional Development.
Who are National University's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Western Governors University, Southern New Hampshire University, University of Maryland Global Campus, Liberty University Online, Walden University, Capella University, Purdue University Global, UMass Global (formerly Brandman University) and Grand Canyon University. University of Phoenix is listed as a broad incumbent.
Does National University have an API?
No public API is recorded for National University.
What industry is National University in?
National University's product category is Higher Education. Its primary akta.pro industry code is EDAHALAK, Online Nonprofit Universities, with a secondary code of EDAHABAA, Comprehensive Doctoral Research Universities (Multi-Disciplinary). Its NAICS code is 6113 and its SIC code is 8200.