Colleges in Rapid City, South Dakota
5 colleges and universities — federal Scorecard data.
There are 5 colleges and universities in Rapid City, South Dakota (3 Private for-profit, 2 Public). The figures below are pulled from the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard — the same federal dataset colleges are required to report to.
Across all 5 institutions, the median net price after grants and scholarships works out to about $19,694 per year, the median 6-year graduation rate is 66.8%, schools that report admissions data accept a median 80% of applicants.
The median net price in Rapid City runs about $1,548 higher than the South Dakota statewide median of $18,146.
Whether you're comparing in-state public tuition, looking for a private nonprofit with strong outcomes, or trying to find the right program in Rapid City, the table below lets you sort every institution side-by-side on cost, admissions, graduation rate, and size.
Median net price
$19,694
After aid
Median grad rate
66.8%
6-year
Median admission rate
80%
Median enrollment
753
Undergrad
All colleges in Rapid City
Sorted by enrollment.
| School | State | Type | Net price | Grad rate | Admission | Size | Data | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| South Dakota School of Mines and Technology Rapid City, SD | SD | Public, 4-year | $20,183 | 52.9% | 80% | 2,071 | Complete | |
| National American University-Rapid City Rapid City, SD | SD | Private for-profit, 4-year | $31,062 | Not available | Not available | 764 | Partial | |
| Western Dakota Technical College Rapid City, SD | SD | Public, 2-year | $12,670 | 54.2% | Not available | 753 | Partial | |
| The Salon Professional Academy Rapid City, SD | SD | Private for-profit, <2-year | $18,146 | 79.3% | Not available | 80 | Partial | |
| Paul Mitchell the School-Rapid City Rapid City, SD | SD | Private for-profit, <2-year | $19,694 | 87.5% | Not available | 66 | Partial |
By institution type
Private for-profit (3)
Private for-profit colleges in Rapid City operate as businesses, generally focused on career-oriented and online programs with rolling admissions.
- National American University-Rapid CityNet price: $31,062Grad: Not available
- The Salon Professional AcademyNet price: $18,146Grad: 79.3%
- Paul Mitchell the School-Rapid CityNet price: $19,694Grad: 87.5%
Public (2)
Public colleges in Rapid City are state- or locally-funded institutions that typically offer lower in-state tuition and serve a broad mix of residents and commuters.
- South Dakota School of Mines and TechnologyNet price: $20,183Grad: 52.9%
- Western Dakota Technical CollegeNet price: $12,670Grad: 54.2%
Top programs in Rapid City
Most-completed programs across Rapid City colleges, weighted by enrollment.
- Engineering40.7% of degrees
- Health professions13.6% of degrees
- Business11.1% of degrees
- Computer science8.9% of degrees
- Personal services3.8% of degrees
- Physical sciences3.4% of degrees
- Homeland security & law enforcement2.9% of degrees
- Interdisciplinary2.4% of degrees
Frequently asked questions about colleges in Rapid City
Q.How many colleges are in Rapid City, South Dakota?
There are 5 colleges and universities in Rapid City, South Dakota that report to the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard — 3 Private for-profit, 2 Public.
Q.What is the largest college in Rapid City?
By undergraduate enrollment, South Dakota School of Mines and Technology is the largest institution in Rapid City with roughly 2,071 undergraduates.
Q.What is the cheapest college in Rapid City?
Based on average net price after aid, Western Dakota Technical College is the most affordable institution in Rapid City at $12,670 per year.
Q.Which Rapid City college has the highest graduation rate?
Paul Mitchell the School-Rapid City reports the highest 6-year graduation rate among Rapid City institutions at 87.5%.
Q.What is the average tuition in Rapid City?
The median net price across all 5 colleges in Rapid City is $19,694 per year after grants and scholarships.
Q.What are the most popular college majors in Rapid City?
Across Rapid City colleges, the most-completed programs by share of degrees awarded are Engineering, Health professions, Business.
Q.Are there community colleges in Rapid City?
Yes — Rapid City includes 2 public institutions, many of which offer 2-year associate degrees and transfer pathways to 4-year programs.
Other cities in South Dakota
Data on this page comes from the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard and IPEDS. Medians are computed across institutions in Rapid City that report each metric. Net price, graduation rate, and earnings figures reflect the latest available federal release. Always verify current tuition and program availability directly with each institution.