National American University-Colorado Springs South

Key Highlights

• Dedicated to academic excellence
• Located in a major metropolitan area with excellent opportunities
• Strong focus on undergraduate education
• Diverse academic programs across multiple disciplines

Student Life & Environment

Student life at National American University-Colorado Springs South reflects the unique community formed by adult learners from diverse backgrounds, with particularly strong representation from military-connected populations given the proximity to multiple installations. Active duty service members, veterans, military spouses, and defense civilians comprise a significant portion of the student body, bringing discipline, leadership experience, and global perspectives to the learning environment. Career changers, working professionals seeking advancement, and parents returning to education after family-focused years contribute additional diversity to classroom discussions and group projects. This mature student population creates a supportive atmosphere where classmates understand the challenges of balancing academic demands with military commitments, employment, and family responsibilities. Study groups and professional networks form naturally, often extending beyond graduation into lasting career connections. The university schedules courses and services to accommodate nontraditional students, with evening and weekend options that work around deployment schedules and shift work. Student services staff specialize in navigating military education benefits, VA programs, and transitions from service to civilian careers. Career services provide resume translation for military experience, interview coaching, and connections with veteran-friendly employers. Colorado Springs offers exceptional outdoor recreation opportunities from hiking in Garden of the Gods to skiing in the nearby mountains, providing stress relief and wellness benefits for busy students.

Location & Surroundings

Colorado Springs, Colorado provides an exceptional environment for career-focused education, combining strong employment opportunities, military presence, and unmatched natural beauty at the base of Pikes Peak. The city's economy is substantially driven by defense and military installations including Fort Carson Army Base, Peterson Space Force Base, Schriever Space Force Base, the United States Air Force Academy, and NORAD, creating abundant opportunities for graduates with business, healthcare, and technology credentials. Major defense contractors including Lockheed Martin, Northrop Grumman, Boeing, and Raytheon maintain significant Colorado Springs operations. The healthcare sector is robust with multiple hospital systems serving the growing population. Technology companies increasingly locate in the region, attracted by quality of life and technical talent. The cost of living remains more moderate than Denver while offering similar economic opportunities. Colorado Springs' elevation of over 6,000 feet and 300+ days of sunshine annually create an outdoor recreation paradise with hiking, biking, climbing, and skiing readily accessible. The urban setting provides convenient access to employers throughout the metropolitan area while maintaining manageable commutes compared to larger cities. Public transit options exist though most residents rely on personal vehicles. The city's conservative, military-friendly culture welcomes veterans and active duty families. Olympic City USA designation reflects the presence of the United States Olympic & Paralympic Training Center and numerous national sports governing bodies headquartered in the area.

Costs & Career Outcomes

Pursuing education at National American University-Colorado Springs South requires understanding the financial investment involved and potential career returns in the region's strong economy. Tuition rates vary by program and enrollment intensity, with total costs including fees, textbooks, technology requirements, and living expenses in Colorado Springs' moderately priced housing market. Students are encouraged to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid to determine eligibility for federal grants and loans. Military-connected students should explore GI Bill benefits, Military Tuition Assistance, Yellow Ribbon programs, and spouse education assistance that may cover significant portions of educational costs. Colorado state aid programs provide additional assistance for eligible residents. The university may offer institutional scholarships or payment plans. Understanding total out-of-pocket costs relative to expected starting salaries helps students evaluate their investment. Business administration graduates find abundant opportunities given the strong defense industry presence, with roles in program management, contracting, operations, and logistics across military installations and private contractors. Healthcare administration completers are well-positioned as the region's medical infrastructure expands to serve growing population. Information technology graduates enjoy exceptional prospects given cybersecurity emphasis across defense and aerospace employers. Many positions require security clearances, making military background particularly valuable. Career services maintain relationships with veteran-friendly employers and defense contractors actively recruiting from the university. Starting salaries in Colorado Springs' competitive market often exceed national averages while cost of living remains manageable.

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