National American University-Rapid City
Rapid City, SD 57702
About National American University-Rapid City
National American University-Rapid City is a private for-profit university in Rapid City, South Dakota, enrolling about 764 students. National American University-Rapid City awards degrees and certificates tracked in federal College Scorecard and IPEDS reporting. Published tuition for full-time study is about $16,065 per year before aid; net price varies by family income. Median earnings about ten years after entry reach about $37,325 among students who received federal aid.
Key findings
- National American University-Rapid City charges 3% below the national private for-profit median tuition ($16,065).
- Versus the South Dakota median, sticker tuition is about 1.8×.
- Median earnings 10 years after entry are $37,325.
Research findings
Finding
Modeled return on investment at National American University-Rapid City is strong.
Estimated ROI reaches about 200% using Scorecard cost and 10-year earnings fields in this extract.
Interpretation: On this institution-wide model, typical graduate earnings over a decade substantially exceed estimated net education cost.
Limitation: ROI is institution-wide and not program-specific; individual outcomes vary by major, aid package, and labor market.
Cost benchmarks
| Benchmark | Median Tuition | Median Net Price | Count |
|---|---|---|---|
| National American University-Rapid City | $16,065 | $31,062 | 1 |
| Private For-profit (national median) | $16,637 | — | 477 |
| South Dakota (state median) | $8,845 | $15,911 | 19 |
| Town (locale median) | $9,600 | $14,971 | 1,517 |
| United States (national median) | $11,900 | $17,156 | — |
Compares this campus to school-type, state, and locale medians plus a U.S. national median (College Scorecard–derived). Locale groups campuses by NCES locale type; state tuition is the median published tuition among campuses in that state.
How expensive is National American University-Rapid City really?
Key findings
- National American University-Rapid City charges 3% below the national private for-profit median tuition ($16,065).
- Versus the South Dakota median, sticker tuition is about 1.8×.
National American University-Rapid City tuition
Published undergraduate tuition $16,065
Finding National American University-Rapid City charges 3% below the national private for-profit median tuition.
Evidence Published tuition is $16,065. That is 3% below the national private for-profit median ($16,637). Versus the South Dakota median ($8,845), sticker tuition is about 1.8×. Versus the U.S. median ($11,900), sticker is 35% above.
Method Sticker tuition compared with Scorecard-derived medians by ownership, state, locale, and national rollups when available.
Interpretation Published tuition measures sticker price relative to private for-profit and geographic peers; it does not equal what undergraduates typically pay after aid.
Limitation Sticker comparisons omit room, board, and institutional aid; average net price and income-band net prices are the stronger signals of typical family cost.
Evidence: published tuition at National American University-Rapid City versus school-type, state, locale, and U.S. medians.
Evidence: average net price at National American University-Rapid City versus state, locale, and U.S. medians.
What undergraduates typically pay
Finding Average net price at National American University-Rapid City is $31,062.
Evidence College Scorecard average net price is $31,062 (cost of attendance minus average grant aid for aided undergraduates). That is about $15,151 above the South Dakota median net price. Versus town campuses, net price runs $16,091 above the locale median.
Method Average net price from College Scorecard; compared with state, locale, and U.S. medians from EDsmart aggregates.
Interpretation Average net price is a stronger institutional cost signal than published tuition because it incorporates grant aid.
Limitation The campus average masks large differences by household income; income-band net prices can diverge sharply from the overall average.
Key takeaway At National American University-Rapid City, average net price exceeds published tuition alone because net price uses a fuller cost-of-attendance base.
National American University-Rapid City: research record
Canonical EDsmart Data findings for National American University-Rapid City—costs, outcomes, admissions, and programs—with evidence and methodology notes.
Research findings
Interpretation
Median earnings should be read with net price, debt, and completion—not as a standalone quality score.
Financial profile
Annual tuition
$16,065
Avg. net price
$31,062
Net price by family income
| Income bracket | Avg. annual net price |
|---|---|
| $0–$30,000 | $31,062 |
Sticker tuition × four years (estimate, no room/board): $64,260. See cost investigation.
Student outcomes
Share of first-year students returning the following fall.
Graduation rate and 10-year earnings are in the hero strip above; see Graduates for more.
What National American University-Rapid City is known for
Top program completions
- Business Administration and Management, General108
- Homeland Security19
- Aviation/Airway Management and Operations18
- Health/Health Care Administration/Management17
- Strategic Intelligence16
See earnings & programs for more.
Is National American University-Rapid City a good school?
Data-framed fit—not a prestige rating.
National American University-Rapid City is a good school for those looking for strong graduate earnings outcomes in College Scorecard data.
EDsmart Data does not assign an opinion score; this framing summarizes the strongest Scorecard signals for this campus.
More from the data
Location, control, enrollment, and aid context for National American University-Rapid City.
Campus
Location
Rapid City, SD
City / state
- ZIP
- 57702
- NCES locale
- Town
Compared with Town campuses nationally, net price is about 2.1× the median for Town campuses ($14,971 median).
Control
Institution type
Private For-profit
Control
- Region
- Plains
- Carnegie
- Doctoral/Professional Universities
Size
Enrollment
764
Total enrollment
- Undergraduate
- 1,328
- Graduate
- 136
- Full-time share
- 12%
Student aid
Debt & aid
$29,020
Median federal loan debt
- Pell grant share
- 57.06%
Total Cost, Aid & Default
Total Cost of Attendance
Tuition vs average net price after aid for National American University-Rapid City.
Financial Aid by Income Level
Financial aid distribution by income level.
Student Loan Default Rate
The published 3-year cohort default rate for borrowers at National American University-Rapid City was 0.00%.
Cohort default rates account for borrowers who default in the first three years.
Tuition tracker
Published tuition and average net price by reporting year come from the College Scorecard institution file. Values are not adjusted for inflation; missing cells mean the field was not reported or was suppressed for National American University-Rapid City in that year.
Reporting years in the table below: 2013–2023 (Scorecard labels refer to the institutional submission cycle).
| Year | In-state tuition & fees | Out-of-state tuition & fees | Average net price |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2013 | $12,567 | $12,567 | $18,343 |
| 2014 | $13,287 | $13,287 | $17,185 |
| 2015 | $13,647 | $13,647 | $17,546 |
| 2016 | $13,989 | $13,989 | $18,009 |
| 2017 | $15,000 | $15,000 | $15,428 |
| 2018 | $15,000 | $15,000 | $19,620 |
| 2019 | $15,000 | $15,000 | $16,918 |
| 2020 | $14,985 | $14,985 | $17,526 |
| 2021 | $15,660 | $15,660 | $15,938 |
| 2022 | $16,065 | $16,065 | $23,855 |
| 2023 | $16,065 | $16,065 | $22,086 |
Sticker tuition and net price over time
Where the institution reported separate in-state and out-of-state tuition, both appear. Gaps mean the value was not reported for that year.
College Scorecard reporting-year fields (not inflation-adjusted).
Net price by family income
Brackets follow Scorecard definitions for the series shown (public vs private institution).
Latest income-band net prices available in the processed extract.
How difficult is it to get in?
Acceptance Rate
Acceptance rate data is not available for this institution.
Admissions funnel data is not available for this institution.
Test Scores
Test score data is not available for this institution.
Score distribution is not available for this institution.
Academic Requirements
GPA requirements are not published by this institution. Contact the admissions office for specific academic requirements.
Estimated GPA range is not available for this institution.
Enrollment & Student Demographics
National American University-Rapid City reported total enrollment of about 764 students in the latest College Scorecard extract. The student body is about 55% male and 45% female. Enrollment by race and ethnicity includes White (37.2%), Black or African American (29.2%), and Hispanic or Latino (16.1%). About 57.06% of undergraduates receive Pell Grants. Roughly 53.8% of students are first-generation college students.
Full-Time vs Part-Time Enrollment
11.7% Full-Time Enrollment
The total enrollment at National American University-Rapid City in 2024 is 764 students.
Undergraduate enrollment is about 1,328 students. Graduate enrollment is about 136 students.
Full-time vs part-time enrollment comparison.
Retention Rate over Time
33.3%
2024 Retention Rate
Retention rate measures the number of first-time students who began their studies the previous fall and returned to school the following fall.
Retention rate over time compared to similar institutions.
Enrollment by Race & Ethnicity
Largest share of total enrollment in our College Scorecard extract.
College Scorecard student demographics (total enrollment shares).
Do students complete their programs?
Time to Complete
0.00% 100% Completion Time
0.00% 150% Completion Time
In 2024, 0.00% of students graduating from National American University-Rapid City completed their program within 100% "normal time".
Completion rates over time compared to similar institutions.
Completions by Sex (Top Programs)
- Business Administration and Management, General: 52% male / 48% female
- Homeland Security: 95% male / 5% female
- Aviation/Airway Management and Operations: 94% male / 6% female
IPEDS completions by sex for the five largest programs (aggregate CIPs excluded).
Completions by Race & Ethnicity
Largest group by summed IPEDS award counts across reported programs.
Summed across program completion records in our extract.
National American University-Rapid City graduates earn a median of $37,325 ten years after entry
Finding Earnings, debt, and program mix define the financial profile of National American University-Rapid City.
Evidence Median earnings 10 years after entry: $37,325. Median federal loan debt: $29,020. Average net price used in cost models: $31,062.
Method College Scorecard median earnings (10-year), median debt, and EDsmart ROI / payback models using campus net price.
Interpretation Institution-wide ROI and debt ratios summarize campus averages; program choice still drives individual outcomes.
Limitation Salary reflects median earnings ten years after entry; ROI is not program-specific.
Key takeaway National American University-Rapid City graduates report median earnings of $37,325 ten years after entry—an institution-wide outcomes signal, not a program guarantee.
Return on Investment
Debt and 4-year net cost vs. cumulative 10-year median earnings for National American University-Rapid City.
Top Programs by Completions
Largest 10 programs by IPEDS completions (29 reported codes; aggregate/unknown CIP buckets excluded).
IPEDS award counts for the largest programs at National American University-Rapid City.
Employment Outcomes
Median earnings 6, 8, and 10 years after entry for National American University-Rapid City graduates.
Institutional resources
Finding: federal finance and Scorecard instructional fields for National American University-Rapid City—instructional staffing and expenditure. Compared with state, regional, and U.S. medians from EDsmart Data institutional financials.
Instructional Resources
- Full-time faculty share: 1.5%
- South Dakota median 64.2 pp below median (65.7%)
- Plains median 63.2 pp below median (64.7%)
- U.S. median 56.5 pp below median (58.0%)
- Average faculty salary (monthly): $5,111
- South Dakota median 0.71× the median ($7,234)
- Plains median 0.71× the median ($7,194)
- U.S. median 0.67× the median ($7,615)
- Instructional expenditure per FTE: $1,661
- South Dakota median 0.22× the median ($7,480)
- Plains median 0.20× the median ($8,150)
- U.S. median 0.23× the median ($7,288)
Instructional metrics from College Scorecard. Peer medians are campus-level; see the institutional financials deep dive. Detailed non-instructional staff counts are not included here.
Scorecard instructional metrics where reported.
National American University-Rapid City at a glance
National American University-Rapid City
National American University-Rapid City is a private for-profit institution in Rapid City, SD, classified as Doctoral/Professional Universities.
- Largest programs (IPEDS awards)
- Business Administration and Management, GeneralHomeland SecurityAviation/Airway Management and Operations
- Largest enrollment groups
- White or Caucasian37.2%Black or African American29.2%Hispanic or Latino16.1%
Schools near National American University-Rapid City
Other campuses in Rapid City, SD when available, plus nearby institutions in South Dakota.
Similar schools
Peers matched by the same EDsmart outcomes grade (Grade D) within South Dakota, then by similar ownership and admissions.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is National American University-Rapid City located?
National American University-Rapid City is located in Rapid City, SD.
What is National American University-Rapid City's tuition?
National American University-Rapid City tuition (published undergraduate sticker price) is $16,065 in the latest College Scorecard data. Average net price after grant aid is $31,062 for undergraduates receiving Title IV aid.
How much does National American University-Rapid City cost?
Reported tuition is $16,065 and average net price is $31,062 in the latest College Scorecard data. On-campus room and board is estimated at $14,400 annually.
What is the student body demographics at National American University-Rapid City?
National American University-Rapid City reports undergraduate enrollment of about 1,328 students, White (37.2%), Black or African American (29.2%) in federal College Scorecard data.
How many first-generation students attend National American University-Rapid City?
About 53.8% of students at National American University-Rapid City are first-generation college students.
What do graduates of National American University-Rapid City earn?
Median earnings are $29,641 six years after entry and $37,325 ten years after entry.
How much debt do National American University-Rapid City students have?
Median federal loan debt among completers is $29,020.
Is National American University-Rapid City public or private?
National American University-Rapid City is a private for-profit institution located in Rapid City, SD.
Is National American University-Rapid City an HBCU?
No. National American University-Rapid City is not flagged as an HBCU in the IPEDS institutional directory.
Is National American University-Rapid City a tribal college?
No. National American University-Rapid City is not flagged as a tribal college in IPEDS.
Is National American University-Rapid City a Hispanic-serving institution (HSI)?
Using a 25% Hispanic enrollment threshold on College Scorecard demographics, National American University-Rapid City does not meet that proxy (reported share 16.1%).
Is National American University-Rapid City religiously affiliated?
No religious affiliation is reported for National American University-Rapid City in IPEDS institutional characteristics.
Data Sources
This page uses data from the following sources:
- College Scorecard - U.S. Department of Education
- Institutional characteristics, costs, completion rates, and earnings data
- Data years: 2015-2024
- Source: collegescorecard.ed.gov
- Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)
- Employment and wage data by occupation
- Latest data: May 2024
- Source: bls.gov/oes
- O*NET Online - U.S. Department of Labor
- Occupational skills, knowledge, abilities, and work activities
- Database version: 28.0 (August 2023)
- Source: onetcenter.org
- IPEDS (Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System) - National Center for Education Statistics
- Institutional data, completions, enrollment, and financial aid
- Data years: 2015-2024
- Source: nces.ed.gov/ipeds
- Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS)
- Demographic and workforce data
- Latest data: 2023 ACS 5-Year Estimates
- Source: census.gov/acs
- Related geography & profiles
Data Processing: All data has been processed, cleaned, and aggregated for presentation. Where specific data points are unavailable, estimates are based on available data and clearly marked.
Last Updated: Data reflects the most recent available information as of January 2025.
Methodology & Data Scope
This profile uses institution-level fields from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, merged with IPEDS directory attributes where needed for locale, ownership, and program completions.
Benchmark rows compare this campus to NCES locale-type medians (for example Suburban) from our processed location extract. Implied U.S. medians are derived from locale-vs-national percentage fields in that extract—not a separate national Scorecard table.