National American University-Rapid City — ROI, Cost & Payback
National American University-Rapid City charges a net price of $31,062/yr after aid — a 4-year total of $124,248. Median earnings ten years after entry are $37,325, below the $48,360 high-school baseline, so on this institution-wide metric the degree does not clear its cost. Program choice is what changes that. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
On institution-wide earnings, National American University-Rapid City does not clear its cost — it ranks #15 of 17 South Dakota colleges we track by ROI. The specific program you pick moves this more than the school average.
| Measure | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Net price (after aid) | $31,062/yr | Scorecard, 2026 |
| Total net cost (4 yrs) | $124,248 | our math |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs after entry | $37,325 | Scorecard, 2026 |
| Earnings premium over HS baseline | -$11,035/yr | our math |
| Median debt (completers) | $29,020 | Scorecard, 2026 |
| Payback | does not clear | our math |
| 20-year net return | -$344,948 | our math |
College Scorecard (2026 release), institution-level · payback and returns are our math.
The arithmetic, on National American University-Rapid City's own numbers. Net price $31,062 × 4 years = $124,248 total. Median earnings $37,325 fall $11,035 short of the $48,360 high-school baseline, so the premium this formula divides by is not positive and no break-even year exists on institution-wide pay. A programme here earning $58,360 would clear the $124,248 bill in about 12.4 years — the gap, not the price, is what blocks payback. Full method.
How much debt do National American University-Rapid City students graduate with?
A median $29,020 in federal loans among completers, or 78% of the $37,325 its graduates earn ten years out — our math. The figure excludes private loans and students who left before finishing.
What share of National American University-Rapid City students graduate?
0% finish their degree — 100% leave carrying the cost without the credential.
Is National American University-Rapid City expensive compared with other South Dakota colleges?
Its $31,062 net price runs $11,327 above the $19,735 median across the 17 South Dakota colleges we profile, or $45,308 more across the full degree.