National American University-Rapid City vs. NCA

Comparable Facts

Compare National American University Rapid City in Rapid City, SD with Northwest College of Art & Design in Tacoma, WA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

National American University Rapid City is larger than NCA based on total student enrollment (903 students vs. 139 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• National American University Rapid City is located in Rapid City, SD (Small City setting); Northwest College of Art & Design is in Tacoma, WA (Rural Fringe setting).
• National American University Rapid City is a private, for-profit 4-year institution. Northwest College of Art & Design is a private, for-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: National American University Rapid City 6:1; Northwest College of Art & Design 34:1.

National American University-Rapid City vs. NCA Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, National American University-Rapid City or NCA? 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 Northwest College of Art & Design than National American University-Rapid City ($14,818 vs. $31,062).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at National American University Rapid City are 6.4% lower than at Northwest College of Art & Design ($14,400 vs. $15,384).
• Northwest College of Art & Design is 12.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than National American University-Rapid City (about $2,035 more per year; $18,100.00 vs. $16,065.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 12.7% higher at NCA than at National American University Rapid City (about $2,035 more per year; $18,100.00 vs. $16,065.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Northwest College of Art & Design than at National American University Rapid City (87% vs. 29%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Northwest College of Art & Design students is 325% larger than aid received by National American University Rapid City students ($14,406 vs. $3,390).

National American University-Rapid City vs. NCA Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, National American University-Rapid City or NCA? 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 NCA and National American University-Rapid City.

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

National American University-Rapid City vs. NCA Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for National American University-Rapid City and NCA? 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).

• Northwest College of Art & Design's six-year graduation rate (67%) is higher than National American University Rapid City's (22%).
• Graduates from National American University Rapid City earn a median of about $9,900 more per year than NCA graduates about ten years after starting college ($39,500 vs. $29,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Northwest College of Art & Design graduates have a $2,565 lower median loan debt than National American University-Rapid City graduates ($31,000 vs. $33,565).
• Among borrowers, NCA graduates have an estimated $27 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than National American University-Rapid City graduates ($320 vs. $347).
• More NCA graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former National American University-Rapid City students, three years after graduation. (47% 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.