National American University

What National American University does

National American University (NAU) is a private, regionally accredited online university headquartered in Rapid City, South Dakota, founded in 1941 as the National School of Business and rebranded in honor of its 1962 acquirer Harold D. Buckingham. The institution delivers 100% of its degree programs online through the Desire2Learn (D2L) learning management system and organizes its offerings across four schools: the College of Undergraduate Studies, the College of Legal Studies (ABA-approved paralegal programs), the Harold D. Buckingham Graduate School, and the Henley-Putnam School of Strategic Security (acquired in 2018 from the former Henley-Putnam University). Programs span associate through doctoral degrees, with concentrations in business, IT, healthcare, legal studies, intelligence management, counterterrorism, education, and construction management, plus non-credit UpSkill Academy certificates delivered via an ed2go partnership.

The core technology stack is conventional for online higher education: D2L for course delivery, MyCampus as a student portal, Parchment for transcript services, Calendly for advisor scheduling, and QuickBooks/Excel only as curriculum content references. Differentiated content assets include the Henley-Putnam strategic-security curriculum (developed by former CIA, Secret Service, and FBI professionals), Credentials of Graduate Studies (COGS) digital badges for graduate milestones, and an accelerated 3-year BSIT Focused degree (135 credits) with concentrations in Cybersecurity, Network Administration, Cloud Computing, and AI/ML. The platform is not proprietary or technologically novel; differentiation rests on accreditation, transfer-credit generosity, and practitioner-built curriculum.

NAU generates revenue primarily through per-credit undergraduate tuition (tiered from $304-$380 per credit hour general, $166.66 military), per-course graduate tuition ($2,625 master's, $475-$700 doctoral), and corporate/government channel contracts. Go-to-market is direct-to-consumer via organic content, social media, and enrollment advisors, supplemented by 11+ articulation partnerships with community and career colleges that feed transfer students, plus a military/veteran recruitment channel with reduced tuition and dedicated advising. With 1,001-5,000 employees and 257 graduates celebrated at the June 2026 commencement, NAU is a mid-sized, fully online institution serving working adults, active-duty military and veterans, and transfer students as its primary segments.

Name

National American University

Legal name

National American University

Website

https://national.edu

Company type

Private

Founded year

1941

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1,001–5,000 employees

Short description

National American University is a private, fully online university founded in 1941, serving working adults, active military, veterans, and transfer students through accredited associate, bachelor's, master's, and doctoral programs across four specialized schools.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Online Higher Education

NAICS

Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools (6113), Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools (611310), Educational Support Services (611710)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Online International & Cross-Border Universities (Global/Transnational Providers) (EDAHALAL)

akta.pro secondary industries

Defense Universities & Joint Professional Military Education (PME) (EDAHAOAB), Military Graduate & Postgraduate Institutions (STEM/Defense Research) (EDAHAOAE)

Keywords

• Online higher education
• Distance learning degrees
• Adult education programs
• Online university degrees
• Professional certificate training

Headquarters

HQ city

Rapid City

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Undergraduate Tuition: Tiered tuition structure for undergraduate programs based on credits earned (0-45, 46-90, 91-135, 136-180+). General tuition ranges from $380 to $304 per credit hour. Alumni receive 10% discount. Active military receive significantly reduced rate of $166.66 per credit hour.
2. Master's Degree Tuition: Per-course tuition for master's programs at $2,625 per course (general) or $2,362 for alumni. Henley-Putnam master's programs priced at $2,500 per course ($2,250 alumni). Military rate of $260 per course.
3. Doctoral Degree Tuition: Doctor of Education at $700 per course. Doctor of Strategic Security at $475 per course general, $450 for military. Additional dissertation research courses at $200.
4. Certificate Programs: Graduate certificates at $2,625 per course. Undergraduate certificate programs generate revenue as part of the undergraduate tuition structure.
5. Upskill Academy Non-Credit Programs: Self-paced, non-credit certificate and professional enrichment programs through Upskill Academy partnership with ed2go, providing career-focused training in IT, healthcare, business, and trades.
6. Fees and Assessment: Additional revenue from matriculation fees ($75 one-time), resource material fees ($50 per course), technology fees ($100 per course), and transcript fees ($13.50 electronic, $16 paper).

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

National American University is a private, regionally accredited online university offering associate, bachelor's, master's, and doctoral degree programs plus non-credit certificate and professional development courses. Programs are delivered 100% online through the Desire2Learn (D2L) learning management system and organized across four schools: College of Undergraduate Studies, Harold D. Buckingham Graduate School, Henley-Putnam School of Strategic Security, and College of Legal Studies. The university targets working adults, active-duty military and veterans, and transfer students with flexible 8 or 11-week terms, tiered tuition, and generous transfer credit policies.

Product overview

National American University is a regionally accredited online university offering a comprehensive portfolio of educational programs through four specialized schools: College of Undergraduate Studies (business, IT, healthcare, accounting programs with IACBE-accredited business programs), College of Legal Studies (ABA-approved paralegal and professional legal studies), Harold D. Buckingham Graduate School (MBA, Master of Management with COGS digital badges, Doctor of Education), and Henley-Putnam School of Strategic Security (intelligence management, counterterrorism, strategic security). The university also provides accelerated 3-year BSIT Focused degrees with specialized tracks in Cybersecurity, Network Administration, Cloud Computing, and AI & Machine Learning. UpSkill Academy offers career-focused certifications and professional development courses. Programs are delivered 100% online via Desire2Learn LMS with tiered tuition pricing, generous transfer credit policies (up to 75% undergraduate), and military tuition benefits.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Henley-Putnam School of Strategic Security: Advanced training for strategic security professionals, including programs in intelligence management, counterterrorism studies, and strategic security. Originally founded as Henley-Putnam University in 2001.
• UpSkill Academy
• Harold D. Buckingham Graduate School

Products and services

• Henley-Putnam School of Strategic Security Specialized school offering intelligence, counterterrorism, strategic security, and protection management programs at undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral levels, originally founded as Henley-Putnam University in 2001 by former intelligence agency professionals.
• Harold D. Buckingham Graduate School

Quantifiable outcome

• Tiered tuition provides 5-10% tuition decrease as students achieve key milestones
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers7 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration5 records

AI capability2 records

Feature3 records

Partnerships

14 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Aviation Institute of MaintenancecoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorArticulation agreement allowing Aviation Institute of Maintenance graduates to transfer credits into NAU's Aviation Management and related programs. Supports career pathway from aviation maintenance training to management degrees.
• Dallas CollegecoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorTransfer pathway partnership enabling Dallas College students to seamlessly transition into NAU bachelor's degree programs with recognized transfer credits.
• Elgin Community CollegecoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorStrategic partnership providing transfer pathways for Elgin Community College graduates to continue education at NAU with maximized credit transfer.
• Harper CollegecoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorArticulation agreement supporting Harper College students in transferring credits toward NAU degree programs in business, technology, and other fields.
• Interactive College of TechnologycoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorTransfer partnership for ICT graduates to continue their education at NAU, enabling career advancement through degree completion.
• Midwestern Career CollegeminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorEducational partnership supporting Midwestern Career College alumni in transitioning to NAU bachelor's and master's degree programs.
• NEWU UniversityminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorInternational university partnership providing cross-institutional transfer opportunities and collaborative educational pathways.
• Palm Beach Academy of Health and BeautyminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorHealth and beauty career training institution partnership enabling graduates to pursue healthcare management degrees at NAU.
• Southern Careers InstituteminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorCareer training institution partnership providing pathways for SCI graduates to earn college degrees through NAU's online programs.
• South Texas CollegecoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorMajor transfer partnership enabling South Texas College students to seamlessly continue their education at NAU with maximized credit transfer.
• Trios CollegeminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorTransfer pathway partnership for Trios College students seeking to complete bachelor's or graduate degrees at NAU.
• ed2gocoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPartnership with ed2go for delivery of Upskill Academy non-credit career training programs including IT certifications (CompTIA), healthcare credentials (CCMA, Phlebotomy), and professional development courses.
• U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerInstitutional membership in USGBC supporting Construction Management programs. Students prepared to take LEED Green Associate (GA) exam. Alignment with sustainable building industry standards.
• National American University FoundationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNonprofit foundation supporting NAU students through scholarship opportunities, recognizing academic achievement, and providing financial support to new and returning students.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Grand Canyon University: Large private Christian university with significant online enrollment. Competes for traditional and non-traditional students with broad program portfolio including business, IT, healthcare, and education.
• Liberty University Online: Large private university with extensive online program offerings across business, IT, education, and ministry. Competes with NAU on online associate-to-doctoral pathways, military benefits, and transfer credit acceptance.
• Capella University: Online university owned by Strategic Education offering degree programs with FlexPath self-paced options. Directly competes for working-adult, transfer, and graduate students in similar program categories.
• Western Governors University: Large nonprofit online university offering competency-based degree programs to working adults. Most directly comparable to NAU in model (fully online, adult learner focus, accelerated pathways) but at significantly larger scale.
• Walden University: Online university focused on graduate programs in social and behavioral sciences, education, and management. Comparable in online delivery model and adult learner, practitioner-oriented positioning.
• American InterContinental University: For-profit online university serving working adults and military learners with business, IT, healthcare, and criminal justice degrees. Directly overlaps with NAU's program mix and GTM channels.
• University of Phoenix: Long-established for-profit online university serving working adults with associate through doctoral programs. Direct competitor with overlapping adult learner and employer partnership channels.
• Purdue University Global: Online-focused arm of Purdue University targeting working adults, military, and transfer students. Competitor in the same accredited online degree market with similar program breadth and credit-transfer emphasis.
• Southern New Hampshire University: One of the largest online universities in the US, serving working adults with associate through doctoral programs. Direct competitor for NAU's adult learner, transfer, and military student segments.
• Strayer University: For-profit online and hybrid university serving working adults with business, IT, and professional programs. Comparable in mission, student profile (adult learners, transfer students), and credit-transfer policies.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/NatAmericanU
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UC1x5Mup7iBZuTWFDM6IFUlg
• Facebookfacebook.com/NationalAmericanU
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/national-american-university
• Instagraminstagram.com/natamericanu
• TikToktiktok.com/@naueducation?lang=en

Compliance3 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles6 records

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A1 record

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about National American University