National Louis University is one of the oldest and most progressive universities in Chicago. They offer more than 60 undergraduate and graduate degree programs through two colleges: the National College of Education and the College of Professional Studies and Advancement. Best known as a 'teacher of teachers," they are also one of the most diverse universities in the Midwest, helping students of all ages and backgrounds achieve their personal and professional goals.

National Louis University was founded on the principle that a quality education can transform lives, careers and communities. More than 125 years ago, education pioneer and social reformer Elizabeth Harrison opened a kindergarten training school to promote early childhood education, then considered a radical idea. Harrison’s groundbreaking work helped launch the National Parent-Teacher Association and the Head Start program, and the National College of Education (NCE) became the first university in Illinois to offer a four-year teaching degree. Thanks to a large donation from philanthropist Michael W. Louis, the school added two more colleges and became National Louis University in 1990.

A lot has changed in the past 125 years, but the mission of NLU remains the same: to provide an education that makes a difference. They serve more than 8,000 students at six locations in Illinois and Florida, and at their global business school in Nowy Sacz, Poland. They work hard to improve schools and businesses through community partnerships and applied research. And they are proud of the 65,000 living alumni who are using their NLU education to serve others.

The NLU Mission

National Louis University provides access to quality higher education that nurtures opportunity for students through innovative teaching, scholarship, community engagement, and service excellence.