Plaza College vs. National American University-Rapid City

Comparable Facts

Compare Plaza College in Forest Hills, NY with National American University Rapid City in Rapid City, SD on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Plaza College is larger than National American University-Rapid City based on total student enrollment (1,002 students vs. 903 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Plaza College is located in Forest Hills, NY (Large City setting); National American University Rapid City is in Rapid City, SD (Small City setting).
• Plaza 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: Plaza College 28:1; National American University Rapid City 6:1.

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

Which college is more expensive, Plaza College 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 Plaza College than National American University-Rapid City ($19,860 vs. $31,062).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at National American University Rapid City are 7.1% lower than at Plaza College ($14,400 vs. $15,500).
• National American University Rapid City is 4% more expensive for in-state tuition than Plaza College (about $615 more per year; $16,065.00 vs. $15,450.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 4% higher at National American University-Rapid City than at Plaza College (about $615 more per year; $16,065.00 vs. $15,450.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Plaza College than at National American University Rapid City (93% vs. 29%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Plaza College students is 96.6% larger than aid received by National American University Rapid City students ($6,665 vs. $3,390).

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

Which college is harder to get into, Plaza College 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 Plaza College.

• National American University Rapid City reports an open admissions policy.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Plaza College - Test-free; National American University-Rapid City - Open admission.

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

How do outcomes compare for Plaza College 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).

• Graduates from National American University Rapid City earn a median of about $12,200 more per year than Plaza College graduates about ten years after starting college ($39,500 vs. $27,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Plaza College graduates have a $19,650 lower median loan debt than National American University-Rapid City graduates ($13,915 vs. $33,565).
• Among borrowers, Plaza College graduates have an estimated $204 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than National American University-Rapid City graduates ($143 vs. $347).
• More Plaza College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former National American University-Rapid City students, three years after graduation. (30% 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.