Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing at National American University-Rapid City

National American University-Rapid City's nursing program shows strong starting salaries at nearly $74,000—placing it in the 76th percentile nationally and above the South Dakota median of $66,233. However, the small sample size (under 30 graduates) means these figures could shift significantly with more data. The debt load of $33,924 sits slightly above the state median but well below national averages for nursing programs, creating a manageable debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.46 in that crucial first year.

The concerning pattern here is the earnings decline: graduates see their income drop 14% by year four, falling to about $63,700. This backward trajectory is unusual for nursing, where experience typically increases earning power. It could reflect graduates moving to lower-paying facilities, reducing hours, or simply the volatility of a small dataset. Among South Dakota's seven nursing programs, this one ranks in the 60th percentile—respectable but not exceptional compared to options like Lake Area Technical College.

For parents, the initial return looks solid, especially for the 57% of students receiving Pell grants who need strong early earnings. But that income drop deserves serious scrutiny. Before committing, try to understand whether recent graduates have stayed in the region or if they've shifted to different types of nursing work. If your child plans to work in Rapid City long-term, the strong starting salary offers a decent foundation, but the trajectory uncertainty makes this less of a sure bet than the first-year numbers suggest.