Northrop University was founded in 1942 by Jack Northrop. Originally named the Northrop Aeronautical Institute, the school opened for classes in June of 1946 to 412 students committed to and/or already employed by Northrop Aviation. The school was founded by Jack Northrop for the purpose of training aeronautical engineers and mechanics.
In 1953, Northrop Aeronautical Institute became Northrop Institute of Technology with expanded curriculum. In 1971, the university was renamed Northrop University.
Administered by previous alumni and faculty, the University offered bachelors and masters degree programs in accounting, aeronautical sciences, business administration and management, computer science, electrical engineering, design engineering project management and mechanical engineering.
In 1975 the school received a large donation from its original founder to build the American Hall of Aviation. The museum enjoyed great notoriety from its housing of the David D. Hatfield collection of aviation history; by far the largest collection of aviation history to ever be displayed at any one location.
Northrop University received an accredited standard in 1960 from the Western Association of Schools and Colleges, one of the nationally recognized accrediting bodies in the United States.