Black Hills State University vs. National American University-Rapid City

Comparable Facts

Compare Black Hills State University in Spearfish, SD with National American University Rapid City in Rapid City, SD on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Black Hills State University is larger than National American University-Rapid City based on total student enrollment (3,346 students vs. 903 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Black Hills State University is located in Spearfish, SD (Remote Town setting); National American University Rapid City is in Rapid City, SD (Small City setting).
• Black Hills State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. National American University Rapid City is a private, for-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Black Hills State University 17:1; National American University Rapid City 6:1.

Black Hills State University vs. National American University-Rapid City Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Black Hills State University or National American University-Rapid City? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Black Hills State University than National American University-Rapid City ($15,576 vs. $31,062).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Black Hills State University are 15.6% lower than at National American University Rapid City ($12,160 vs. $14,400).
• National American University Rapid City is 83.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than Black Hills State University (about $7,301 more per year; $16,065.00 vs. $8,764.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 35.4% higher at National American University-Rapid City than at Black Hills State University (about $4,199 more per year; $16,065.00 vs. $11,866.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Black Hills State University than at National American University Rapid City (76% vs. 29%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Black Hills State University students is 79.1% larger than aid received by National American University Rapid City students ($6,070 vs. $3,390).

Black Hills State University vs. National American University-Rapid City Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Black Hills State University or National American University-Rapid City? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between National American University-Rapid City and Black Hills State University.

• National American University Rapid City reports an open admissions policy.
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Black Hills State University 965/1135.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Black Hills State University 18/24.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Black Hills State University - Test optional; National American University-Rapid City - Open admission.
• Accepted freshman Black Hills State University students have a 0.12 point higher average high school GPA (3.22) than students at National American University-Rapid City (3.1).

Black Hills State University vs. National American University-Rapid City Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Black Hills State University and National American University-Rapid City? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• Black Hills State University's six-year graduation rate (28%) is higher than National American University Rapid City's (22%).
• Graduates from National American University Rapid City earn a median of about $700 more per year than Black Hills State University graduates about ten years after starting college ($39,500 vs. $38,800), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Black Hills State University graduates have a $8,087 lower median loan debt than National American University-Rapid City graduates ($25,478 vs. $33,565).
• Among borrowers, Black Hills State University graduates have an estimated $84 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than National American University-Rapid City graduates ($263 vs. $347).
• More Black Hills State University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former National American University-Rapid City students, three years after graduation. (62% vs. 27%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.