
National University of Health Sciences (NUHS) traces its origins to the National School of Chiropractic, founded in 1906 by John Fitz Alan Howard. Its subsequent development from a chiropractic school into a university offering several health-sciences programs explains why chiropractic remains prominent in its academic identity.
The institution later operated as the National College of Chiropractic and adopted the National University of Health Sciences name in 2000. The newer name reflects a broader range of study, including naturopathic medicine and other health-related fields. For applicants, that history matters chiefly because NUHS is a specialized institution: its programs are concentrated in health sciences rather than spread across the full range of majors found at a comprehensive university.
NUHS organizes its academics around health-sciences and professional preparation, rather than a large collection of unrelated colleges. Its best-known credential is the Doctor of Chiropractic; its program offerings also include naturopathic medicine and other health-related study. Applicants interested in an undergraduate pathway should examine the university's current biomedical-sciences offerings and the credentials each pathway awards.
Program names alone do not establish where or how a student can complete them. NUHS has operated beyond its Lombard campus, and clinical training, course schedules, and campus availability can differ by program. Before applying, compare the current academic catalog's degree requirements, required clinical experiences, delivery format, and location for the specific credential you want. A bachelor's program and a professional doctorate have substantially different entry requirements, lengths, and licensing implications.
National University of Health Sciences is based in Lombard, Illinois, a suburb west of Chicago. Its setting offers access to the wider Chicago metropolitan area while making commuting, parking, and travel time practical considerations for students with demanding class or clinic schedules.
Prospective students should identify the location of their particular program before arranging housing or transportation; NUHS has also offered instruction outside Illinois. Chicago O'Hare International Airport is a useful regional air-travel option, but day-to-day access to the Lombard campus depends more on a student's route and schedule than on proximity to an airport.
NUHS describes its purpose in terms of educating health-care professionals and advancing health-related learning and practice. Its educational identity emphasizes a science-based foundation alongside clinical preparation and an interest in integrative approaches to care.
Those are institutional aims, not measures of what every graduate experiences. Applicants can assess how the stated approach appears in a particular curriculum by reviewing its science courses, supervised clinical requirements, and the professional scope for which the degree is designed. Students considering a licensed profession should also compare the curriculum with the rules of the state where they expect to practice.
Name of the institution
National University of Health SciencesLevel of institution
Four or more yearsControl of institution
PrivateSetting type
Suburb: LargeInstitutional Category
Degree - granting, primarily baccalaureate or aboveInstitution size category
Under 1,000School type
UniversityMain student body
CoeducationalCalendar system
TrimestersFoundation year
1906National University of Health Sciences is institutionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission, an accrediting agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. Accreditation confirms that the school meets quality standards and is required for students to receive federal financial aid.
Bachelor's degree
Master's degree
Doctor's degree - professional practiceData last updated on November 2, 2026
Data sources: IPEDS 2024-25, Peterson 2026, College Scorecard 10/2026, Clery 2024 (2023-24), OpenAlex 2026
Figures on this profile come from federal and third-party datasets in the editions listed above and are refreshed periodically, so they may differ from what the institution currently reports. Confirm costs, deadlines and requirements with the school before making decisions.