Head-to-head comparison
National American University-Rapid City vs Western Dakota Technical College: 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 Rapid City, SD
Western Dakota Technical College
- Net price / year
- $12,670
- Earnings, 10 years
- $40,240
- Payback
- No payback
Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but Western Dakota Technical College comes closer — median earnings $40,240 against a $25,340 total, vs $37,325 at National American University-Rapid City. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | National American University-Rapid City | Western Dakota Technical College |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $31,062 | $12,670 |
| Total net cost | $124,248 | $25,340 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $37,325 | $40,240 |
| Median debt | $29,020 | $15,000 |
| Payback | — | — |
| 20-year net return | -$344,948 | -$187,740 |
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 Western Dakota Technical College?
Western Dakota Technical College, at $12,670 a year after aid versus $31,062 — a gap of $18,392 a year, or $98,908 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 Western Dakota Technical College graduates earn more?
Western Dakota Technical College graduates report a median $40,240 ten years after entry, $2,915 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 Western Dakota Technical College?
Western Dakota Technical College: its completers carry a median $15,000 in federal loans versus $29,020 at National American University-Rapid City, a difference of $14,020. 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?
54% of students finish at Western Dakota Technical College, 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.