National American University-Rapid City Recognized among the 2027 Best Universities in South Dakota by Research.com

The 2027 Research.com recognition highlights National American University–Rapid City's inclusion among South Dakota's leading universities.

RAPID CITY, SD, UNITED STATES, November 4, 2026 /EINPresswire.com/ -- National American University-Rapid City has been recognized among the best universities in South Dakota 2027 ranking by Research.com. The institution was also a winner of the Best MBA Programs in South Dakota Award.

Research.com is a leading university ranking platform dedicated to helping students make informed decisions about their education. This recognition is part of Research.com's newly released best colleges ranking, which highlights America’s top colleges in terms of quality of education, popularity and affordability.

The 2027 rankings by Research.com were compiled through an extensive analysis of data points from multiple sources, including Peterson, IPEDS, and College ScoreCard. These rankings consider various degree types and regions, focusing on key factors such as overall quality, affordability, popularity, and the time required to earn a degree.
Institutional Momentum

The recognition comes during a period of continued academic modernization and attention to student outcomes at National American University. In July 2025, the university launched its Bachelor of Science in Information Technology – Focused program, a fully online, 135-quarter-credit bachelor’s degree designed to be completed in approximately three years by students who maintain full-time enrollment. The program includes optional focus areas in cybersecurity, network administration, artificial intelligence, and cloud computing, giving students opportunities to align their studies with several evolving areas of the technology workforce.

The university has also continued to publish updated information about the students it serves and their educational outcomes through its institutional performance and student achievement reporting. NAU’s 2026 reporting shows that 89% of its undergraduate students attend part time and 85% are age 25 or older, reflecting the university’s substantial adult-learner population. It also reports that 246 students completed programs between February 13, 2025, and March 4, 2026. Among respondents to a September 2025 graduate survey, 90% reported being satisfied with their NAU education, 81% said they were currently employed, and 73% said they felt NAU had prepared them for suitable employment; the university notes that these survey results should not be interpreted as employment placement rates.

Together, these developments reflect broader efforts by National American University to combine flexible access with career-relevant academic pathways and clearer public information about student progress and outcomes.

About National American University

National American University is a private university based in Rapid City, South Dakota, focused on flexible, career-oriented education for adult learners and working professionals. The university offers online programs across business, accounting, information technology, healthcare management, criminal justice, legal studies, strategic security, and other professional fields, with credentials available at multiple academic levels. Its predominantly adult and part-time student population shapes an academic model built around flexible scheduling and online access. Through career-focused curricula and programs designed to accommodate students balancing education with employment and other responsibilities, NAU serves learners in South Dakota and across the broader geographic reach of its online programs.

Brent Passey
National American University
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