It was established in 1996 and is classified[5] among "D/PU: Doctoral/Professional Universities"; it offers bachelor's, master's, specialist, and doctoral degrees.

Shortly thereafter, on October 8, 2008, Northcentral announced the university was being purchased by Rockbridge Growth Equity, LLC.

It would be required to post a letter of credit in order for students to receive federal financial aid.

[11] Northcentral also failed its 2010–2011, 2011-2012 and 2012-2013 financial responsibility tests, scoring zero for 2010–2011 on a scale of -1 to 3, lower than the 0.2 it earned the prior term; 0.2 for 2011–2012; and 0.2 again for 2012–2013.

[15] The JFK School of Law at NCU was placed on probation by The State Bar of California, through its Committee of Bar Examiners, due to reporting a five-year cumulative bar exam pass rate (MPR) of 39.7 percent for 2020, when a minimum of 40 percent is required under Rule 4.160(N); the law school raised its MPR to 41.9 in July 1, 2021, and its probation was lifted.