Head-to-head comparison
National American University-Rapid City vs Mount Marty University: which has better ROI?
Option A Rapid City, SD
National American University-Rapid City
- Net price / year
- $31,062
- Earnings, 10 years
- $37,325
- Payback
- No payback
Option B Yankton, SD
Mount Marty University
- Net price / year
- $22,227
- Earnings, 10 years
- $48,179
- Payback
- No payback
Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but Mount Marty University comes closer — median earnings $48,179 against a $88,908 total, vs $37,325 at National American University-Rapid City. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | National American University-Rapid City | Mount Marty University |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $31,062 | $22,227 |
| Total net cost | $124,248 | $88,908 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $37,325 | $48,179 |
| Median debt | $29,020 | $26,396 |
| Payback | — | — |
| 20-year net return | -$344,948 | -$92,528 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
The short answer
Which is cheaper, National American University-Rapid City or Mount Marty University?
Mount Marty University, at $22,227 a year after aid versus $31,062 — a gap of $8,835 a year, or $35,340 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.
The short answer
Do National American University-Rapid City or Mount Marty University graduates earn more?
Mount Marty University graduates report a median $48,179 ten years after entry, $10,854 more than the $37,325 at National American University-Rapid City. Both are institution-wide medians from federal tax records, so a high-paying major at the lower school can beat the average at the higher one.
The short answer
Which leaves students with less debt, National American University-Rapid City or Mount Marty University?
Mount Marty University: its completers carry a median $26,396 in federal loans versus $29,020 at National American University-Rapid City, a difference of $2,624. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.
The short answer
Which graduates more of its students?
52% of students finish at Mount Marty University, against 0% at National American University-Rapid City. Completion matters to the ROI arithmetic because a degree that is never finished still carries its cost and its debt, but earns none of the graduate premium above the $48,360 high-school baseline.