National University (San Diego, California)

National University founder David Chigos, a former United States Navy captain and director of employee training for General Dynamics Corporation, established the school as a non-traditional university for working adults.^[5] In 1971, National University was organized as a private, nonprofit institution with 27 students. The university's first commencement ceremony had 143 graduates.^{[6][non-primary source needed]} From 1971 to 1975, the university was based at 1050 Rosecrans Street in Point Loma, San Diego.^[7] In 1975, National purchased two properties in Mission Valley as its headquarters.^{[6][non-primary source needed]} Two years later, National opened teaching facilities in Kearny Mesa and San Diego County.^{[6][non-primary source needed]} During that time, the school gained approximately 1000 alumni and received accreditation from the Western Association of Schools and Colleges.^{[6][non-primary source needed]} By 1979, National had purchased a 15-acre (6 ha) campus with 110,000 square feet (10,000 m²) of classroom and library space and 3,500 alumni.^{[6][non-primary source needed]} National also acquired the Cabrillo Pacific College of Law in 1979, which closed in 1991.^{[6][non-primary source needed]}

During the 1980s, National expanded by establishing several satellite campuses in California.^{[6][non-primary source needed]} The School of Education was established in 1980. In 1988, Chigos retired and^{[6][non-primary source needed]} Jerry C. Lee became the university's second president from 1989 to 2007. During Lee's tenure, campuses were restructured, the university's finances stabilized, National's academics were formally reviewed by accrediting bodies, and affiliate institutions were added to the university.^{[citation needed]} In 1996, the headquarters of the university was moved from Mission Valley to La Jolla and online degree programs were established. The university's board of trustees established the National University System in 2001^[8] with Jerry Lee appointed chancellor of the system. The university was re-organized as a multi-tiered alliance of individual educational and research institutions with each of its respective leaders (including the National University president) reporting to the chancellor.^[9] In 2006, National University earned an Emmy Award from the National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences, Pacific Southwest Chapter, for its "One University" commercial.^[10] In 2007, Dana Gibson was appointed as National's third president, and Lee became President Emeritus.^[9] Two years later, Gibson left National and Patricia E. Potter served as interim president. Michael R. Cunningham became president and chancellor in 2013.^{[9][non-primary source needed]}

As of 2010, National University was the second-largest private, non-profit institution of higher education in California and the 12th largest private, non-profit organization in the United States.^[11] At National University's 40th anniversary, the system had an endowment of over $400 million and real estate valued over $145 million.^[12] The university had over 24,000 enrollment with over 130 undergraduate and graduate academic degree programs and 23 teacher credential programs at 28 campuses in California and over 100 online academic programs.^[13]

In 2017, the university received recognition in Washington Monthly as a "top school for adult learners".^[14]

In 2019, T. Denny Sanford donated $350 million to National University to rename the university's School of Education to the Sanford College of Education. In addition to the name change, a tuition decrease was announced, aided by Sanford's donation.^[15]

In 2021, the university was sanctioned by the American Association of University Professors "for infringement of governance standards".^[16]

In July 2022, National announced a merger with Northcentral University, an entirely online institution specializing in advanced degrees. The merger was expected to bring the combined enrollment to more than 42,000 students.^[17] On October 1, 2022, Mark David Milliron assumed the position of President and CEO of National University.^[18]

In 2025, NU was recognized in the updated Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education with an “Opportunity Colleges and Universities – Higher Access, Higher Earnings” designation.^[19]

National University confers associate degrees, bachelor's degrees, master's degrees, doctoral degrees, and teaching credentials. It also offers continuing education programs. In 2026, the student-faculty ratio at National University was 16:1, and it utilizes a continuous-based academic calendar.^[20]

The university is organized as three professional schools and three colleges:

• College of Letters and Sciences
• Sanford College of Education
• College of Business, Engineering, and Technology
• JFK School of Psychology and Social Sciences
• School of Health Professions
• College of Law and Public Service

The university also has a division of Workforce and Continuing Education, which houses continuing education, professional development programs, and 23 teacher credential/certificate programs.^{[21][non-primary source needed]} Since 1996, National University offers more than 100 degree programs through over 1,500 courses online.^{[22][non-primary source needed]}

National University is geographically dispersed, with its academic and administrative centers located in San Diego, California. These centers include administrative offices of the president, vice presidents, school deans and department chairs, financial aid, registrar, and admissions. From its administrative center, the university maintains its academic campuses throughout urban areas in California. The university's satellite campuses are located in:

The National University system is governed by a board of trustees and is headquartered in La Jolla, California.^[35] The board meets three times a year, consisting of 25 voting members with two ex-officio members (the president of the university and the chancellor of the system) also holding voting privileges.

National University has open admissions and is the second-largest private, non-profit institution of higher education in California by total enrollment.^[43][44][45] For the 2022-2023 academic year it charged tuition and fees of US$13,320, with 69% of students receiving grants or scholarships.^[43]

As of 2017, the average age of its students is 32.^[46] National University had a fall 2023 enrollment of 19,924 students, with 10,151 undergraduates and 9,773 graduate students. In 2026, approximately 40% of students were full-time, 54% of students in 2023 were female, and 82% were over the age of 25.^[43]

• Lloyd Bryan Molander Adams, co-founder of Extreme Sports Channel
• Chris Brown, Mayor of Hawthorne, California
• Ocky Clark, runner
• Thomas S. Crow, Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy from 1979 to 1982
• Duke Cunningham, US Navy fighter pilot ace, 7 term US Congressman, and convicted felon
• Gerry Czarnecki, business executive and author of books on leadership principles
• Marti Emerald, local television journalist and city council member from San Diego, California
• Brian Graham, major league baseball coach
• Isadore Hall III, California state senator
• Chief Phil Lane, Jr., a leader of American indigenous peoples
• Steven Paul Logan, United States district judge, who being a Marine Corps Colonel (now reserve) concurrently serves on the Navy-Marine Corps Court of Criminal Appeals
• Rich McCormick, U.S. Representative from Georgia (2023-present)
• Weston Ochse, author
• Frank Pastore, major league pitcher and radio host
• Jerry Sanders, former mayor and earlier chief of police of San Diego, California
• Erick Thohir, Indonesia's 10th Minister of State Owned Enterprises, Chair of the Football Association of Indonesia, majority owner of two professional soccer teams
• Billy Pat Wright, multi-term member of the Missouri House of Representatives
• Ryan Zinke, U.S. Secretary of the Interior, Navy SEAL, U.S. Navy commander, special operations commander during Iraq War, later elected the U.S. representative from Montana
• Jaime Bonilla, Governor of the State of Baja California in Mexico