Paier College vs. National American University-Rapid City

Comparable Facts

Compare Paier College in Bridgeport, CT with National American University Rapid City in Rapid City, SD on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

National American University Rapid City is larger than Paier College based on total student enrollment (903 students vs. 203 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Paier College is located in Bridgeport, CT (Large Suburban setting); National American University Rapid City is in Rapid City, SD (Small City setting).
• Paier College is a private, for-profit 4-year institution. National American University Rapid City is a private, for-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Paier College 9:1; National American University Rapid City 6:1.

Paier College vs. National American University-Rapid City Cost Comparison

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

• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at National American University Rapid City are 20% lower than at Paier College ($14,400 vs. $18,000).
• Paier College is 47.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than National American University-Rapid City (about $7,695 more per year; $23,760.00 vs. $16,065.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 47.9% higher at Paier College than at National American University Rapid City (about $7,695 more per year; $23,760.00 vs. $16,065.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at National American University Rapid City than at Paier College (29% vs. 0%).

Paier College vs. National American University-Rapid City Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Paier College or National American University-Rapid City? Typical SAT and ACT scores (midpoint estimates from the mid-50% ranges in the table above), enrolled-tester score ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between National American University-Rapid City and Paier College.

• Both colleges report an open admissions policy; selectivity can still vary by program or major.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Paier College - Open admission; National American University-Rapid City - Open admission.

Paier College vs. National American University-Rapid City Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Paier College and National American University-Rapid City? Where federal data is available for both schools, the bullets below compare graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt using the same College Scorecard / IPEDS fields as the comparison table. If a metric is missing for one school, that school is noted separately.

• Paier College's six-year graduation rate (56%) is higher than National American University Rapid City's (22%).
• Graduates from National American University Rapid City earn a median of about $5,300 more per year than Paier College graduates about ten years after starting college ($39,500 vs. $34,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Paier College graduates have a $7,565 lower median loan debt than National American University-Rapid City graduates ($26,000 vs. $33,565).
• Among borrowers, Paier College graduates have an estimated $79 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than National American University-Rapid City graduates ($268 vs. $347).
• More Paier College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former National American University-Rapid City students, three years after graduation. (59% 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.