Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants at National American University-Rapid City

National American University-Rapid City's practical nursing program carries twice the typical debt burden for this field—$31,335 versus a national median of just $14,803. That places it in the 5th percentile nationally for debt, meaning 95% of comparable programs saddle students with less borrowing. First-year earnings of $37,827, while below the national median by about $6,300, land near South Dakota's middle (40th percentile statewide). But here's the rub: students at comparable in-state options like Western Dakota Technical or Lake Area Technical are earning $4,000-$6,000 more annually while likely carrying far less debt.

The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.83 means graduates face nearly a full year's salary in loans—workable in nursing where jobs are stable, but far from ideal when other South Dakota programs deliver similar or better earnings at half the cost. With 57% of students receiving Pell grants, many families here are already financially stretched.

For an anxious parent, the question is straightforward: Why pay premium debt for below-average outcomes? Unless geographic constraints make Rapid City the only viable option, South Dakota's technical colleges offer demonstrably better value in this field. If your child is set on this location, insist on understanding the total cost of attendance and exhaust scholarship options before accepting this debt load for practical nursing credentials.