Cankdeska Cikana Community College: $3,950 Tuition

$3,950Tuition

278Students

9%Grad Rate (6-yr)

$17,008Earnings

#19 in North DakotaPublic2-yearData: 2023-24

About Cankdeska Cikana Community College

This tribal community college serves 278 students on the Spirit Lake Dakota Nation reservation. Cankdeska Cikana specializes in preserving Dakota language and culture while providing career training and transfer pathways. The college offers programs that blend traditional knowledge with modern skills, particularly in areas like business, education, and natural resources. Students work closely with faculty in an 11:1 ratio that enables personalized attention in this rural setting.

The financial picture reveals both challenges and opportunities. Students pay an average net price of $9,197 regardless of residency status. However, graduates earn a median of just $17,008 ten years after enrollment, making this one of the more expensive investments relative to earnings outcomes. The 6-year graduation rate of 9.1% reflects the complex realities facing many tribal college students who often balance education with family and community responsibilities.

The student body is predominantly female at 68.7% and draws entirely from in-state. Only 8.6% of students are white, reflecting the college's mission to serve Native American communities. Few students receive federal loans, with 0% taking on federal debt. The C4 teams compete in athletics, though the college's real strength lies in its cultural preservation programs and community connections.

Academics & Faculty

Cankdeska Cikana Community College serves as a tribal institution preserving Dakota and Lakota culture through education. The 11:1 student-faculty ratio provides intimate classroom settings where instructors know every student personally. However, the 9.10% six-year graduation rate reflects the challenges many Native American students face balancing education with family and community responsibilities. The college offers associate degrees in liberal arts, business, and Native American studies. Students can also pursue career training in fields like office administration and human services. The curriculum integrates traditional Dakota values with modern academic standards. Many graduates transfer to four-year universities or return to serve their tribal communities in leadership roles.

Source: College Scorecard / U.S. Department of Education

Student-to-Faculty Ratio: 11:1
Full-Time Faculty: 75.0%
Graduation Rate (6-year): 9.1%
Median Earnings (10 years): $17,008
Carnegie Classification: Tribal College

Campus Life

Cankdeska Cikana sits on the Spirit Lake Dakota Nation reservation in rural North Dakota, serving a student body that's 89% Native American. The nearest major city, Fargo, lies roughly 100 miles southeast through prairie farmland. Women make up 69% of enrollment at this tribal community college founded in 1970.

Winter temperatures regularly drop below zero, making heavy coats essential from November through March. The small enrollment of 278 students creates an intimate campus where the 11:1 student-faculty ratio means professors know every student personally. All students commute from the surrounding reservation and nearby communities since no on-campus housing exists. Weekend activities often center around cultural events and powwows that connect students to Dakota traditions. The college emphasizes Native language preservation and cultural studies alongside traditional academic programs. Students frequently gather in the student center or library between classes. The rural setting offers quiet study environments but limited entertainment options, with Grand Forks about 60 miles north providing the closest shopping and dining beyond basic local services.

Setting: Rural-Distant
Calendar System: Semester
Founded: 1970

Campus Safety (2023)

No reported Clery Act crimes in 2023.

Climate & Weather

January Avg: -2°–15°F
July Avg: 58°–78°F
Annual Precipitation: 20.0"
Annual Snowfall: 59.8"

Student Demographics

This tribal community college draws entirely from North Dakota, serving primarily Native American students from the Spirit Lake Dakota Nation and surrounding communities. Women make up more than two-thirds of the enrollment, reflecting the school's strong programs in healthcare, education, and human services that traditionally attract female students. Over half of students receive Pell Grants, showing the college fulfills its mission of providing affordable higher education to underserved populations. The small class sizes with an 11:1 student-faculty ratio create tight-knit learning environments that honor both academic achievement and cultural heritage.

Men: 31.3%
Women: 68.7%
White: 8.6%
Black: 0.0%
Hispanic: 1.8%
Asian: 0.4%
In-State Students: 100.0%
Pell Grant Recipients: 54.8%

Location

Fort Totten sits in rural North Dakota, about 100 miles west of Grand Forks and 120 miles northeast of Bismarck. The campus serves the Spirit Lake Dakota Nation on the shores of Devils Lake, North Dakota's largest natural body of water. All 278 enrolled students come from in-state, reflecting the college's deep tribal community roots. The surrounding area offers fishing, hunting, and outdoor recreation against the backdrop of North Dakota's prairie landscape. This remote setting provides a close-knit learning environment where the 11:1 student-faculty ratio fosters personal attention. Students considering colleges in North Dakota may also compare Cankdeska Cikana Community College with similar schools in the region.

Address: Fort Totten, North Dakota 58335

After College

Source: College Scorecard / U.S. Department of Education

Median Earnings (10 years): $17,008
Median Earnings (5 years): $31,324
Mean Earnings (6 years after entry): $17,200

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the admission requirements at Cankdeska Cikana Community College?

Cankdeska Cikana Community College serves its tribal community with open enrollment policies typical of community colleges. All 278 students come from North Dakota, reflecting the college's mission to serve local Native American communities. The small class sizes with an 11:1 student-faculty ratio provide personalized attention for students beginning their higher education journey.

How much does Cankdeska Cikana Community College cost after financial aid?

Students pay an average net price of $9,197 after aid, with tuition set at $3,950 for both in-state and out-of-state students. Over half of students (54.75%) receive Pell Grants, indicating significant financial need in the community. The college keeps costs accessible for families earning under $30,000, who pay a net price of $8,621.

What academic programs is Cankdeska Cikana Community College known for?

This tribal community college operates on a semester system and focuses on culturally relevant education for Native American students. The student body is 68.71% women and primarily Native American, with only 8.63% white students. Small class sizes with 278 total students allow for intensive, community-focused learning experiences.

What are the employment outcomes for Cankdeska Cikana Community College graduates?

Graduates earn a median of $17,008 ten years after enrollment, reflecting the rural economic conditions of the Fort Totten area. The 6-year graduation rate of 9.10% is typical for community colleges serving students who often attend part-time while working. Five years after enrollment, median earnings increase to $31,324 as students gain more experience.

Where is Cankdeska Cikana Community College located and what is campus life like?

The college sits in Fort Totten, North Dakota, in a rural-distant setting that reflects its deep ties to the Spirit Lake Nation. Founded in 1970, it serves as an educational center for the local tribal community. Students compete as the C4, representing the strong community bonds that define this small institution.

What makes Cankdeska Cikana Community College unique among North Dakota schools?

As a tribal community college, it serves a primarily Native American student population with culturally centered education and support services. Zero percent of students take federal loans, suggesting alternative funding sources and the college's commitment to debt-free education. Only 5.04% receive institutional grants averaging $4,728, as most financial support comes through federal programs designed for tribal colleges.