National University System
National University System is a private nonprofit higher education enterprise headquartered in San Diego, California, operating National University and affiliated institutions to deliver 150+ online and hybrid degree programs for nontraditional learners, military personnel, and transfer students.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1971
- HeadquartersLa Jolla, United States
- Headcount1,001–5,000
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What National University System does
National University System is a private, nonprofit 501(c)(3) higher education enterprise headquartered in San Diego, California, founded in 1971 to serve nontraditional learners. The System operates the flagship National University alongside three wholly-owned affiliated institutions: City University of Seattle, Northcentral University, and National University Virtual High School, collectively offering 150+ degree programs from associate through doctoral levels across nine academic areas including Teaching & Education, Business & Marketing, Healthcare & Nursing, Engineering & Technology, and Law. The institution's core product is flexible online and hybrid degree delivery using 4- and 8-week course formats with year-round enrollment, supported by a learning management system, student portal, and a credit-for-prior-learning framework that maps into articulation agreements with 116+ community colleges.
Revenue is generated primarily through tuition and fees across degree levels, supplemented by federal financial aid, grants, loans, and institutional scholarships — including the Key Grant Scholarship (up to $3,600 annually), Associate Degree for Transfer Scholarship (up to $10,000/year), and a 25% military tuition discount. The System reported $37 million distributed in scholarships and grants. Go-to-market is hybrid: direct-to-consumer enrollment with year-round starts and 24/7 admissions support, dedicated on-base military admissions teams serving all branches, and a community-college transfer channel via 116+ articulation agreements. Distribution is overwhelmingly digital via the nu.edu platform and social channels, with physical California campuses for hybrid instruction and military installations for on-base cohorts.
The System is WASC-accredited, has been recognized by the Carnegie Foundation as an Opportunity University and Professions Focused institution, and operates as a Veteran-founded entity with 250,000+ alumni worldwide. Strategic positioning targets working adults, caregivers, military personnel and families, and community-college transfer students — segments historically underserved by traditional four-year residential universities. Notable sub-brands include the JFK School of Law and the National University Virtual High School, the latter extending the System's footprint into secondary education.
National University System firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- National University System
- Legal name
- National University
- Website
- https://nusystem.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1971
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1,001–5,000 employees
- Short description
- National University System is a private nonprofit higher education enterprise headquartered in San Diego, California, operating National University and affiliated institutions to deliver 150+ online and hybrid degree programs for nontraditional learners, military personnel, and transfer students.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
National University System industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Higher Education Services
- NAICS
- Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools (611310), Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools (61131)
- SIC
- Services-Educational Services (8200)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Comprehensive Doctoral Research Universities (Multi-Disciplinary) (EDAHABAA)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- Fully Online Universities (Online-First, Degree-Granting) (EDAHALAA)
Keywords
Where National University System is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- La Jolla
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
National University System 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: Primary revenue from tuition charged for degree programs at associate, bachelor, master, doctoral, certificate, and credential levels. Pricing varies by program and degree level.
- Financial Aid and Scholarships: Revenue supported by federal financial aid, grants, loans, and institutional scholarships distributed to eligible students.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Subscription | Annual | Needs-based Key Grant Scholarship |
| Subscription | Annual | Transfer Student Scholarship |
| Subscription | Annual | Military Tuition Discount |
Go-to-market motion3 records
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels6 records
National University System product offering
Product offeringCore offering
National University System operates a private, nonprofit higher education institution offering 150+ online and hybrid degree programs from Associate through Doctoral levels across nine academic areas including Teaching & Education, Business & Marketing, Healthcare & Nursing, Engineering & Technology, and Law. The institution delivers flexible 4- and 8-week courses with year-round enrollment, targeted at nontraditional adult learners, working professionals, military personnel, and community college transfer students. Affiliated institutions include City University of Seattle, Northcentral University, and National University Virtual High School.
Product overview
National University System operates as a comprehensive private, nonprofit higher education institution offering over 150 degree programs from Associate to Doctoral levels through its main brand National University, supplemented by sub-brands including the JFK School of Law (Juris Doctor and paralegal certificates) and National University Virtual High School. The core product is the online and hybrid degree program portfolio organized across nine academic areas: Teaching & Education, Business & Marketing, Healthcare & Nursing, Social Sciences & Psychology, Engineering & Technology, Criminal Justice & Public Service, Law, Arts & Humanities, and Science & Math. Programs feature flexible 4- and 8-week courses with year-round enrollment. Supporting offerings include the Whole Human Education™ philosophy, a Program Finder tool, Student Portal, financial aid services, credit for prior learning articulation agreements with 116+ community colleges, and the Anders Movement community. Specialized tracks serve military personnel and veterans across all branches. The institution is distinguished by its Veteran-founded status, WASC accreditation, and Carnegie Classification as an Opportunity University.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Whole Human Education™: Educational approach that puts student well-being first by providing flexible learning, personalized support, and lasting career value
- ANDers Movement
- JFK School of Law
- The Nest
Products and services
- National University Online Degree Programs A comprehensive suite of online and hybrid degree programs from Associate to Doctoral levels covering Teaching & Education, Business & Marketing, Healthcare & Nursing, Social Sciences, Engineering & Technology, Criminal Justice, Law, Arts & Humanities, and Science & Math, delivered via flexible 4- and 8-week courses with year-round enrollment for nontraditional adult learners, military personnel, and working professionals.
- JFK School of Law A law school sub-brand offering a Juris Doctor degree and paralegal certificate programs with specialized certificates in Corporations, Criminal Law, Litigation, and Legal Technology and E-Discovery.
- National University Virtual High School An online high school program under the National University System umbrella providing secondary education pathways to students.
- Military & Veterans Programs Specialized educational programs and support services for active duty military, veterans, National Guard, reservists, and their families across all branches including Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, Coast Guard, and Space Force, featuring branch-specific admissions pages, dedicated veteran admissions team, on-base presence, and a 25% tuition scholarship for veterans, spouses, and dependents.
Quantifiable outcome
- $37 million in scholarships and grants distributed to students
- +1 more outcomes
Companies that use National University System
Customer profileSegments4 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
National University System technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature1 record
National University System partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Two partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- 116+ Community CollegescoreArticulation agreements with over 116 community colleges enabling seamless credit transfer for students completing associate degrees who wish to pursue bachelor's degrees at National University. NU has transfer-friendly policies to maximize credit recognition for previous coursework.
- City University of Seattle, Northcentral University, National University Virtual High SchoolminorAffiliated institutions within the National University System network, referenced in enrollment communications and marketing consent forms.
Scale indicators6 records
Recent moves2 records
Expansion highlights6 records
National University System competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- University of Arizona Global Campus: Online university (formerly Ashford University) serving adult learners, affiliated with the University of Arizona. Comparable in target student, online delivery, and broad program portfolio.
- Southern New Hampshire University: Large private nonprofit university with one of the biggest online enrollments in the U.S., serving nontraditional and adult learners. Highly comparable to NU in target student, program breadth, and online delivery scale.
- Western Governors University: Nonprofit, online-first university serving working adults with competency-based programs across business, IT, healthcare, and education. Closest direct peer to NU given shared nonprofit status, adult-learner focus, and flexible, year-round enrollment model.
- University of Phoenix: Online-focused university historically serving working adults, now operating under private ownership post-Apollo acquisition. Directly comparable business model and learner demographic, with a similar program portfolio from associate through doctoral.
- Liberty University Online: Large private university with a substantial online enrollment serving adult and nontraditional learners across 150+ programs. Comparable in scale, program breadth, and online delivery model.
- Grand Canyon University: Private university with a large online ground program targeting adult learners and traditional undergraduates, with a faith-based positioning. Comparable in breadth of online degree offerings and adult-learner focus.
- Walden University: Online-focused university serving working professionals across graduate and doctoral programs, now owned by Adtalem Global Education. Highly comparable to NU in delivery model and adult-learner targeting.
- Capella University: Online university offering flexible degree programs for working adults, part of Strategic Education, Inc. Directly comparable in delivery format, learner demographic, and program mix.
- Purdue Global: Online-focused university affiliated with Purdue, serving working adults and military-affiliated students. Comparable in adult-learner focus and military pipeline, though NU's scale and program breadth are closer to traditional nonprofit online universities.
- Colorado Technical University: For-profit university focused on career-oriented online and hybrid programs for working adults. Comparable in delivery format, learner demographic, and emphasis on workforce-relevant degrees.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
National University System social profiles
Digital presenceNational University System compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance2 records
National University System financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
National University System leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles2 records
National University System subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries3 records
National University System funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
National University System M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A2 records
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about National University System
What does National University System do?
National University System operates a private, nonprofit higher education institution offering 150+ online and hybrid degree programs from Associate through Doctoral levels across nine academic areas including Teaching & Education, Business & Marketing, Healthcare & Nursing, Engineering & Technology, and Law. The institution delivers flexible 4- and 8-week courses with year-round enrollment, targeted at nontraditional adult learners, working professionals, military personnel, and community college transfer students. Affiliated institutions include City University of Seattle, Northcentral University, and National University Virtual High School.
Is National University System a public or private company?
National University System is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was National University System founded?
National University System was founded in 1971. It employs 1,001 to 5,000 people.
Where is National University System based?
National University System is headquartered in La Jolla, United States, in the North America region.
How does National University System make money?
Two revenue lines are on record. Tuition and Fees are the primary driver. The others are financial Aid and Scholarships.
Who are National University System's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are University of Arizona Global Campus, Southern New Hampshire University, Western Governors University, University of Phoenix, Liberty University Online, Grand Canyon University, Walden University, Capella University, Purdue Global and Colorado Technical University.
Does National University System have an API?
No public API is recorded for National University System.
What industry is National University System in?
National University System's product category is Higher Education Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is EDAHABAA, Comprehensive Doctoral Research Universities (Multi-Disciplinary), with a secondary code of EDAHALAA, Fully Online Universities (Online-First, Degree-Granting). Its NAICS code is 611310 and its SIC code is 8200.