Performance
Performance Measures
| All rates are calculated as three-year averages. Rates were only calculated for clinical programs or programs with at least 20 new students per year. | One-Year Retention Rate* | Graduation Rate** |
|---|---|---|
| Doctor of Chiropractic Medicine (Illinois and Florida combined) | 95% | 83% |
| Doctor of Naturopathic Medicine | 77% | 70% |
| Master of Acupuncture (with and without Herbal Medicine emphasis) | 74% | 67% |
*Rates are based on students in the starting cohorts in 2022, 2023, and 2024 who continued through one-year.
**Rates are based on students who graduated within 150% of the normal time expected during the past three years (2023, 2024, 2025).
The majority of NUHS students complete the programs they start. However, some students do not graduate due to a variety of academic or non-academic reasons, including but not limited to: student illness or death, family issues, program transfer, etc.
Default Rates
The Department of Education maintains a listing of the cohort default rate for all postsecondary schools. We are proud of our consistently low default rates, which show that our graduates are able to meet their repayment obligations. The federal loan default rates, as reported for the past three years (2023, 2024, 2025), were all 0.0%.
Placement Rates and Professional Success
National University has been surveying graduates every five years for the last 20 years. In that time, the figures on graduates still practicing as chiropractic physicians after 5, 10, 15, and 20 years have remained very stable. Generally, 95% are practicing as DCs. Of the remaining 5%, some are teaching, doing research, have moved to a different state/province, or are having health/disability issues, etc.
National also contacts students one year after graduation to determine the percentage of graduates who are working and/or continuing with their education. Even though response rates are relatively low, the responses indicate that the majority of graduates are working in their field, as shown below:
| Program | Percent of respondents either working in their field or continuing their education one year after graduation, based on data from 2022, 2023, and 2024 graduates who were contacted in 2023, 2024, and 2025 |
|---|---|
| Naturopathic Medicine | 90% |
| Chiropractic Medicine | 87% |
| Acupuncture/ Herbal Medicine | 60% |
| Bachelor's in Science | 100% |
Board Scores
Board Exam Performance of NUHS Doctor of Chiropractic Medicine (DC) Graduates
National University’s unique learning format integrates knowledge with application and prepares students to succeed as skilled, competent chiropractic physicians. Our innovative curriculum tradition of excellence, and the dedication of our faculty and students plays a major role in students’ preparation for the National Board of Chiropractic Examiners (NBCE) examination. See National DC students’ board score performance.
Board Exam Performance of NUHS Doctor of Naturopathic Medicine (ND) Students
With extensive basic science coursework and year-round classes in our trimester system, the ND program includes advanced topics pertinent to the NPLEX Part 1. NUHS has also adjusted the layout, content, timing, and emphasis of several key subject areas to better support our students in NPLEX Part 2. NPLEX-related reviews and sample questions are built into the curriculum.
Board Exam Performance of NUHS Master of Acupuncture Graduates (including those with and without the Herbal Medicine Emphasis – MAc, MAc-HM, MSAc, and MSOM)
Students in the acupuncture degree programs are eligible to sit for the NCBAHM examinations that lead to certification to practice as a licensed acupuncturist. Historically, NUHS students have performed above national standards on these exams.