<h2 id="section---IsNationalAmericanUniversityTheSchoolForYou"> Is National American University the School for You?</h2> <p>National American University is a private, for-profit university that exclusively offers career-focused education programs. It was founded in 1941 as the National School of Business in Rapid City, South Dakota, and now has programs in 11 states and online. Although the school once focused on the educational needs of military veterans, a wide variety of undergraduate and graduate degrees are now available for many different kinds of students. Weigh the pros and cons below to decide if NAU is the school for you. </p> <h4 id="section---Pros"> Pros</h4> <ul><li>Has an open admissions policy, meaning that there is no competition in the enrollment process </li><li>Accepts AP credit, dual credit and credit for life experiences </li><li>Has an ethnically diverse student body </li><li>Offers remedial services as well as academic and career counseling </li></ul><h4 id="section---Cons"> Cons</h4> <ul><li>Unranked school </li><li>Graduation rate is 25 percentage points below the national average </li></ul><h3 id="section---NationalAmericanUniversityAtAGlance"> National American University at a Glance</h3> <p>If you are currently employed, have a family or have a schedule that requires accommodation for other reasons, then National American University may be a solid option for you. The course schedule is flexible, with courses offered online, at night and on weekends. </p> <p>You can find several different 4-year degree options at NAU, including accounting, criminal justice and healthcare management, in addition to a variety of 2-year degree programs. You can also find some diploma programs and 3 master's degree programs at NAU. When deciding on a school, you should also consider that NAU's 4-year graduation rate of 15% for students who started in 2005 is much lower than the national average of 40%. The graduation rate for students who started in 2005 and completed their programs within 6 years was 28%. </p> <p>National American University's career services program provides students and alumni with job search and preparation skills for certain types of employment. Prior to graduation, you'll attend a career management class that helps you with resume writing, portfolio building and other essential employment activities. You may also post your resume with the university's online database to locate prospective employers. If you need help with your courses, the school also offers free tutoring services, or you can talk to a Learner Services representative to get academic advice and assistance with attendance or graduation issues. </p> <h2 id="section---GettingInFinancialAidAtNationalAmericanUniversity"> Getting In &amp; Financial Aid at National American University</h2> <p>As a prospective student, you'll fill out an application and contact a representative at the Rapid City location. This school has an open admissions policy, so you can be accepted if you have at least a high school diploma or GED. However, you'll be required to complete an academic success appraisal as part of the application process. </p> <p>NAU is a reasonably affordable education option due to the fact that tuition and fees are somewhat lower than the national average for for-profit schools. Tuition and fees for the Rapid City campus were $12,549 in 2011-2012, according to the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES). The College Board reports that the national average for for-profit schools was $14,737 for that same year. </p> <p>You can find assistance for tuition costs in the form of work study, loans, grants and scholarships. Financial representatives can help you to choose the most suitable options for your situation. The school indicates that some programs may have limited funds, so you may want to submit a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) application as early as possible for consideration. </p> <p /> <table border="1"><tr><th> </th><th> Application and Tuition Information </th><td /></tr> <tr><td> <i>Application Fee (2013-2014)</i> </td><td> No fee for undergraduate programs*</td></tr> <tr><td> <i>Acceptance Rate (2013-2014)</i> </td><td> 100% for qualified applicants*</td></tr> <tr><td> <i>All Tuition &amp; Living Expenses (2011-2012)</i></td><td> $20,007**</td></tr> <tr><td> <i>Average Grant &amp; Scholarship Aid (2010-2011)</i> </td><td> $3,292**</td></tr> <tr><td> <i>Student Loan Default Rate (2009)</i> </td><td> 22.9%**</td></tr> </table><h2 id="section---StudentLifeAtNationalAmericanUniversity"> Student Life at National American University</h2> <p>Because the vast majority of students at National American University are above the age of 25, ex-military or simply need schedule flexibility for one reason or another, many are enrolled part time. In addition, even though you are enrolled at a specific location, you may also take classes online. </p> <p>The school does offer some student groups focused on student government and other academic or social interests. The school's Learning Resource Center features an online library that is available to students at all campuses. You can also find books, magazines and other publications at the Rapid City location. </p> <p>The Rapid City campus is ethnically diverse; 25% of students attending courses at this campus are black or African American, 5% are American Indian and 6% are Hispanic or Latino. </p> <p /> <table border="1"><tr><th> </th><th> Student Life Info</th></tr> <tr><td> <i>Campus Setting</i> </td><td> Small city**</td></tr> <tr><td> <i>Student Population (2011)</i> </td><td> 2,384**</td></tr> <tr><td> <i>Male-to-Female Student Ratio (2011)</i> </td><td> 26% to 74%**</td></tr> <tr><td> <i>% of Full-Time Students (2011)</i> </td><td> 16%**</td></tr> <tr><td> <i>% of In-State Students (2011)</i> </td><td> 28%**</td></tr> <tr><td> <i>% of International Students (2011)</i> </td><td> 0%**</td></tr> <tr><td> <i>Retention Rate (2011)</i> </td><td> 29% for full-time students**</td></tr> <tr><td> <i>Campus Housing Available</i> </td><td> Yes**</td></tr> <tr><td> <i>Number of Libraries</i> </td><td> 1*</td></tr> <tr><td> <i>Extracurricular Activities</i> </td><td> Limited student clubs available*</td></tr> </table><p><i>Article Sources: *National American University, **NCES, College Navigator.</i> </p> <h3 id="section---SchoolContactInformation">School Contact Information</h3> <ul><li><i>Address:</i> 5301 S. Hwy 16, Rapid City, SD 57701 </li><li><i>Phone:</i> 605-394-4800 / 800-209-0490</li></ul>