National University — ROI, Cost & Payback
National University charges a net price of $22,878/yr after aid — a 4-year total of $91,512. Graduates earn a median $67,548 ten years after entry, $19,188/yr above the $48,360 high-school baseline, clearing the total in 4.8 years — a 20-year net return of $292,248, a strong payback — the degree clears its cost fast. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
National University's 4.8-year payback ranks #395 of 1,280 US colleges we track — better ROI than 69% of them, and #69 of 334 in California.
| Measure | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Net price (after aid) | $22,878/yr | Scorecard, 2026 |
| Total net cost (4 yrs) | $91,512 | our math |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs after entry | $67,548 | Scorecard, 2026 |
| Earnings premium over HS baseline | $19,188/yr | our math |
| Median debt (completers) | $25,000 | Scorecard, 2026 |
| Payback | 4.8 yrs | our math |
| 20-year net return | $292,248 | our math |
College Scorecard (2026 release), institution-level · payback and returns are our math.
The arithmetic, on National University's own numbers. Net price $22,878 × 4 years = $91,512 total. Median earnings $67,548 − the $48,360 high-school baseline = $19,188 a year of premium. $91,512 ÷ $19,188 = 4.8 years to break even; twenty years of that premium minus the cost leaves $292,248. Future dollars are not discounted, and the earnings figure blends every major here — your programme can beat or miss it. Full method.
How much debt do National University students graduate with?
A median $25,000 in federal loans among completers, or 37% of the $67,548 its graduates earn ten years out — our math. The figure excludes private loans and students who left before finishing.
What share of National University students graduate?
43% finish their degree — 57% leave carrying the cost without the credential. Spread the $91,512 bill across that completion rate and the cohort pays $212,819 per graduate produced — our math, and the figure a payback number never shows.
Is National University expensive compared with other California colleges?
Its $22,878 net price runs $2,973 above the $19,905 median across the 334 California colleges we profile, or $11,892 more across the full degree.