National University Reviews 

393
TrustScore 2 out of 5

1.8

While we don't verify specific claims because reviewers' opinions are their own, we may label reviews as "Verified" when we can confirm a business interaction took place. Read more

To protect platform integrity, every review on our platform—verified or not—is screened by our 24/7 automated software. This technology is designed to identify and remove content that breaches our guidelines, including reviews that are not based on a genuine experience. We recognise we may not catch everything, and you can flag anything you think we may have missed. Read more

See what reviewers are saying

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

Their lack of transparency, planning and movement for their financial aid department is near nefarious. They have held my funds despite them receiving them for my program. Their lack of transparency... See more

Company replied

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

Terrible school every negative review on this page about the school is true. If I had not already started the program I would have dropped it. I DO NOT RECOMMEND THIS SCHOOL. THEY ARE VERY DISORGANIZE... See more

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

This school is terrible with financial aid.My student loans and grants disappear. They say they can’t do disbursement because of system change Yet on the department of education site I have disbursed... See more

Company replied

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

I contacted their advising office for two syllabi to see if my current college would accept credits from NU. I called and emailed multiple times and they never get back to me in a meaningful way.... See more

Company replied

Company details

  1. University

Information provided by various external sources

National University is a private university with its headquarters in La Jolla, California.


Contact info

  • North Torrey Pines Road 11255, 92037, San Diego, United States

  • www.nu.edu

1.8

Poor

TrustScore 2 out of 5

393 reviews

5-star
4-star
3-star
2-star
1-star

No recent history of asking for reviews

This company hasn't invited customers recently, so reviews may not be representative

Replied to 82% of negative reviews

Typically replies within 2 weeks

How this company uses Trustpilot

See how their reviews and ratings are sourced, scored, and moderated.

1.8

All reviews

(393)

28 reviews in the last 12 months

Write a review
Companies on Trustpilot aren't allowed to offer incentives or pay to hide reviews. Reviews are the opinions of individual users and not of Trustpilot. Read more

Rated 2 out of 5 stars

Not what I signed up for

First of all, I think it's important to note that the different programs at NU are run by totally different people. My review is specifically about the BSN NURSING program.

Before the pandemic, I took several pre-requisite science classes at NU. They were in-person classes with lab sections, and they were truly excellent classes. I had to work hard, take good notes, and I learned a huge amount that stuck with me. When I applied to the nursing program, I thought I was signing up for that quality of instruction.

When I applied to the second bacherlor's BSN program at National in 2019, it had a good reputation in the community and was known to be academically rigorous and clinically challenging. That was not the experience I have had. As Covid-19 closed a lot of doors to gaining more clinical experiences, NU reacted by removing any way for us to participate in healthcare. They eliminated the externship program that I had planned to apply for. All classes were online, even after community Covid numbers decreased. We were never allowed to touch the care simulator that would allow us to practice actual procedures - all our clinical training was basically reciting a list of steps while standing next to a plastic mannequin and pointing at anatomical regions.

Classes involved hours and hours of zoom, where professors read powerpoint presentations as fast as they could. Most of our professors were pretty good, but they were not allowed by the university to alter the class to improve our learning. They were not even allowed to edit their own class syllabus, not even to change a due date. Because of this, frequently we would have three different listed due dates (one from the syllabus, one from the online system where we uploaded assignments, and one verbally from the professor).

The standards for our group projects were abysmal. I never got less than 100% on a single group project, and there was no mechanism for reporting a student who didn't participate or had poor skills. And EVERYTHING was made into a group project, even research papers. By the end of the program we were phoning all of them in, because we discovered that it didn't actually matter how engaging or professional the group project was. The only thing that ever lost us points was messing up APA format. You could put up a powerpoint slide that was a wall of 14-point text and simply read it off the screen, and still get 100%, with no expectation for improvement.

I think I will be prepared to take the NCLEX and I will be a good nurse, but if you are not a self-motivated student it would be easy to coast through NU without actually doing any work. I will fully admit that I have gotten mostly As in every class without doing much of the reading or studying more than one day for an exam.

The most stressful thing about nursing school at NU is the lack of consistency and the inability of the professors to improve their own classes by changing due dates or assignment parameters.

16 July 2022
Unprompted review
National University logo

Reply from National University

We appreciate you taking the time to leave a review about your experience, Emily. We are saddened to hear that you have had a poor experience. We've passed along your input to the Department Chair Dr. Drummond. Thank you.

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

Terrible University

National University canceled the program I was in the midst of with no warning and after a year of taking classes every month. No explanation, no help with next steps and is even still sending me monetary charges even after I am finished with the school. Joke of a "university."

16 July 2022
Unprompted review
National University logo

Reply from National University

Thanks for taking the time to share your experience. We would really love the opportunity to talk to you and learn more. Please feel free to contact Tom Provenzano, Associate Director Student & Financial Advising, at Tprovenzano@nu.edu so we can address your concerns. We look forward to hearing from you.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

Terrible finish

I feel like when I started the program and I had so much help from advisors, but towards the end zero accountability from advisors. Nor do they care about graduation ceremonies. It gave the feeling of “yes start school here, but we no longer care about when you’re finishing or finished your program.”

16 July 2022
Unprompted review
National University logo

Reply from National University

We value this feedback about your experience with us. We'd like to speak to you directly to help address your concerns, please feel free to contact Tom Provenzano, Associate Director Student & Financial Advising, at Tprovenzano@nu.edu. Thanks again and we look forward to hearing from you.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

I am a new-to-college older adult student...

I am a new-to-college older adult student and the process and my first class have been exceptional. The format that National University offers meets my needs: I would like to obtain my degree in a shorter period of time. I am enjoying the pace, my professor is exceptional and the material is challenging and rewarding. I am grateful for the opportunity to study at National University!

15 July 2022
Unprompted review
Rated 2 out of 5 stars

The University is not adapting well to…

The University is not adapting well to the overall needs of its students. It has shifted to an asynchronous platform and doing the bare minimum contact with its students. I believe this has led to less of what a university is supposed to do which is guide its students through professional instruction. It seems the University is tuning into a for profit college, and I am concerned my degree will have a bad reputation to employers in the future.

15 July 2022
Unprompted review
National University logo

Reply from National University

We are disheartened to hear you are having a less than wonderful experience. We'd like to opportunity to address your concerns. Please reach out to Tom Provenzano, Associate Director Student & Financial Advising, at Tprovenzano@nu.edu. We look forward to hearing from you.

Rated 2 out of 5 stars

I am so disappointed in your school

I am so disappointed in your school. Your lack of compassion during a pandemic was nonexistent. I wish I would have NEVER transferred back to National.

15 July 2022
Unprompted review
National University logo

Reply from National University

Thank you for sharing about your experience, Jona. We are sorry to hear of the lack of support you have seen. Please reach out to Tom Provenzano, Associate Director Student & Financial Advising, at Tprovenzano@nu.edu if you'd like to discuss further.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

Very good online classes

I have done 4 online classes at NU and I am not disappointed at all, very cool structure, nice online portal and if you have questions, the professors get back to you with just one email - so thumbs up.

15 July 2022
Unprompted review
Rated 1 out of 5 stars

Mismanaged classes

Mismanaged classes. Veteran abuses. Financial fraud. Staffing is poorly executed, teachers are assigned classes almost at random and the quality of their professor matches the school's general lack of professionalism.

15 July 2022
Unprompted review
National University logo

Reply from National University

We value your feedback and thank you for taking time to leave a review about your experience. We are disheartened to hear we missed the mark. We would like the opportunity to speak with you, please reach out to Casey Aultman, Associate Director Student & Financial Advising, at Caultman@nu.edu. We look forward to hearing from you.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

Best Decision

One of the best decisions I’ve ever made. Great teachers, fast-tracks, and consistent communication. I would highly recommend. You’re never to old to start or get back on your path!

15 July 2022
Unprompted review
Rated 3 out of 5 stars

Very difficult advising system with…

Very difficult advising system with misinformation. The lack of explanation of how the financial aid is not dispersed until 4-6 weeks after courses start is also a downside, especially when you need to plan for your futures. I had 4 separate advisors and each provided misinformation in regards to my master’s program. I was never sent an application for the program and was told I could submit undergraduate essays. This just was not true. Lesson: Don’t assume anything and if I doesn’t seem to sit well, continue to advocate for yourself.

Classes seem to be solid with professors that have experience with real life application. When I went through this process I thought about how many people would have gone somewhere else strictly based off advising. They are your first impression and these issues need to be addressed on an organizational level with some direction.

15 July 2022
Unprompted review
National University logo

Reply from National University

We value this feedback about your experience at NU and are always interested in how we can improve the student experience. We have passed along your input, but please feel free to contact Casey Aultman, Associate Director Student & Financial Advising, at Caultman@nu.edu
so we can specifically address your concerns. Thanks again and we look forward to hearing from you.

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

They are strictly a diploma mill and…

They are strictly a diploma mill and their main focus is to take money from military veterans. Horrible customer service. They have insufficient staff to support their student population. If you want an easy diploma, they are the best

15 July 2022
Unprompted review
National University logo

Reply from National University

Thanks for taking the time to leave a review, Curtis. We'd like to hear more about your experience and how we can improve as an institution. Please feel free to contact Casey Aultman, Associate Director Student & Financial Advising, at Caultman@nu.edu so we can address your concerns.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

Review

Best school ever. They are very organized and hold many events in order to involve student together.

15 July 2022
Unprompted review
Rated 1 out of 5 stars

This school does not have enough staff…

This school does not have enough staff to run their programs properly. The tuition is outrageously expensive and we do not have access to any sim lab, which was presented to us during orientation, we do not use the skills lab anymore and we do all of our classes through zoom. The teachers make it very clear that they do not have the time to review the material before class and many professors are seeing the PowerPoints for the first time, WITH US!

15 July 2022
Unprompted review
National University logo

Reply from National University

We appreciate you taking the time to leave a review about your experience, Alyssa. We are saddened to hear that you have had a poor experience. We've passed along your input but would like the opportunity to speak to you directly. You can reach out to Casey Aultman, Associate Director Student & Financial Advising, at Caultman@nu.edu. Thank you.

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

The advisors there are pathetic

The advisors there are pathetic. You can’t get a hold of them, takes days for them to contact you. Even then they contact you at the worse times. I go to the advisors office and they all work from home!? Everyone at the main campus are worthless, all they care about is stupid Covid protocols. Higher education that is behind the times. Their veteran service representative doesn’t know about veteran programs. I get emails from them and the advisors and they can’t even get back with you even if you answer. Worse school experience. They just want your money.

15 July 2022
Unprompted review
National University logo

Reply from National University

We are disheartened to hear you are having a less than wonderful experience. We'd like to opportunity to address your concerns. Please reach out to Casey Aultman, Associate Director Student & Financial Advising, at Caultman@nu.edu. We look forward to hearing from you.

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

My experience has been terrible

My experience has been terrible. Examples are call and get different answers every time I call, or call and get no phone calls back, paper work not getting done on time or at all. I'm a Amazon worker that is using the Career Choice Program, I have sent in paper work for that and have gotten notice from Amazon Career Choice Program stating that my school has not sent/returned the signed paper work in in order to get have my tuition to be paid. I want to stay at NU because I like the 4week classes, but communication and paper work correspondence have been less than desirable.

15 July 2022
Unprompted review
National University logo

Reply from National University

Thanks for taking the time to leave a review, Brenda. We'd like to hear more about your experience and how we can improve as an institution. We'd also like to opportunity to make sure your paperwork is all taken care of. Please feel free to contact Melissa Diaz, Director Student & Financial Advising, Mdiaz@nu.edu so we can address your concerns. We look forward to hearing from you.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

Satisfied Student

If you are looking to change a career or get into an accelerated program NU is the place.
After many years of contemplating on teaching I was offered a position I couldn’t refuse and NU helped me secure a position in teaching while attending school. It was not an easy task, but well worth the experience and although we are online I’ve had an opportunity to build a relationship with a classmate. Rigorous program, but a lot of supportive teachers on staff. Good Luck!

15 July 2022
Unprompted review

The Trustpilot Experience

Anyone can write a Trustpilot review. People who write reviews have ownership to edit or delete them at any time, and they’ll be displayed as long as an account is active.

We use dedicated people and clever technology to safeguard our platform. Find out how we combat fake reviews.

Learn about Trustpilot’s review process.

Here are 8 tips for writing great reviews.

Verification can help ensure real people are writing the reviews you read on Trustpilot.

Offering incentives for reviews or asking for them selectively can bias the TrustScore, which goes against our guidelines.

Take a closer look