Sinte Gleska University: $4,714 Tuition

$4,714Tuition

579Students

$20,948Earnings

Public4-yearData: 2023-24

About Sinte Gleska University

Sinte Gleska University preserves and promotes Lakota culture while preparing students for modern careers. This tribal college serves the Rosebud Sioux Tribe with 579 students on a rural campus in South Dakota. The university integrates traditional Lakota values with contemporary education, offering programs in community development, education, and cultural studies. All students come from within South Dakota, creating a tight-knit community focused on serving tribal needs.

Students pay an average net price of $7,075 after financial aid, with the lowest-income families paying just $6,024. Recent graduates earn a median of $44,015 in their first year after college, rising to $51,687 after five years. Over half of students receive Pell Grants, reflecting the university's mission to serve low-income Native American communities. The employment rate reaches 87.2%, showing strong job placement despite the challenging rural economy.

Women make up nearly 79% of the student body, reflecting trends in tribal college enrollment nationwide. The university maintains a 16:1 student-faculty ratio, ensuring personalized attention. While the four-year graduation rate sits at 5%, this reflects the unique challenges many tribal college students face, including family obligations and economic pressures that often require part-time enrollment.

Academics & Faculty

Sinte Gleska University serves as a tribal college dedicated to preserving Lakota culture while preparing students for modern careers. The 16:1 student-faculty ratio ensures close mentorship in programs that blend traditional knowledge with contemporary skills. Only 5% of students graduate within four years, reflecting the college's mission to serve working adults and community members who often attend part-time while managing family and work responsibilities. The curriculum emphasizes Native American studies, education, and community development. Students gain deep cultural grounding alongside practical training. The college prioritizes cultural preservation and language revitalization. Academic programs directly address the needs of the Rosebud Sioux Tribe and surrounding communities.

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

Student-to-Faculty Ratio: 16:1
Full-Time Faculty: 100.0%
Graduation Rate (4-year): 5.0%
Retention Rate: 100.0%
Median Earnings (10 years): $20,948
Carnegie Classification: Tribal College

Campus Life

The vast South Dakota prairie stretches endlessly around campus, with the nearest major city, Rapid City, sitting 175 miles northwest. Women make up nearly 79% of the student body at this tribal college. Winter temperatures regularly drop below zero, so pack heavy coats for the long season that can last into April. The 579 students come entirely from in-state, creating a tight-knit community where everyone knows each other.

Campus life revolves around Lakota traditions and community gatherings. The 100% retention rate reflects the strong bonds students form here. Students often participate in powwows and cultural ceremonies that blend academic learning with ancestral knowledge. With a 16:1 student-faculty ratio, professors know students personally and often serve as mentors beyond graduation. Weekends might involve traditional dancing practice, community service projects on the reservation, or study groups that feel more like family meetings. The rural setting means entertainment options are limited, but students create their own activities centered around cultural preservation and community building.

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

Campus Safety (2023)

No reported Clery Act crimes in 2023.

Climate & Weather

January Avg: 11°–34°F
July Avg: 59°–87°F
Annual Precipitation: 41.9"
Annual Snowfall: 77.9"

Student Demographics

Students at this tribal college come exclusively from South Dakota, reflecting its deep roots in the local Rosebud Sioux community. Women make up nearly 80% of the student body, likely drawn to programs in education, social work, and community health that serve tribal needs. More than half of students receive Pell Grants, showing the college serves families with limited financial resources. The student body is overwhelmingly Native American, with white students comprising just 7% of enrollment. This creates an environment where Lakota culture and language are central to campus life.

Men: 21.1%
Women: 78.9%
White: 7.1%
Black: 0.0%
Hispanic: 0.0%
Asian: 0.0%
In-State Students: 100.0%
Pell Grant Recipients: 52.5%

Location

Mission sits in south-central South Dakota on the Rosebud Indian Reservation, about 250 miles southwest of Sioux Falls. The campus serves a community where 100% of students come from in-state. This remote prairie setting reflects the college's deep roots in Lakota territory, where wide grasslands stretch toward the horizon. The reservation spans over 900,000 acres of rolling hills and open range. Mission itself has fewer than 1,000 residents, creating an intimate environment where the college connects directly with tribal community life. The nearest significant city is Valentine, Nebraska, roughly 60 miles south. Students considering colleges in South Dakota may also compare Sinte Gleska University with similar schools in the region.

Address: Mission, South Dakota 57555-0105

After College

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

Median Earnings (10 years): $20,948
Median Earnings (5 years): $51,687
Mean Earnings (6 years after entry): $16,900

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the student body composition at Sinte Gleska University?

The university enrolls 579 students, with women making up 78.93% of the student body. As a tribal college serving the Rosebud Sioux Tribe, the campus draws exclusively from South Dakota residents and maintains strong connections to Lakota culture and traditions.

How much does Sinte Gleska University cost after financial aid?

Students pay an average net price of $7,075 annually, with tuition set at $4,714 for both in-state and out-of-state residents. Over half of students (52.45%) receive financial aid, reflecting the university's commitment to serving its tribal community affordably.

What are the academic programs like at Sinte Gleska University?

The university maintains a 16:1 student-faculty ratio and focuses on programs that blend Lakota culture with community development. All students complete their education on South Dakota's Rosebud Reservation, where the curriculum emphasizes both traditional knowledge and practical skills for tribal communities.

What are the graduation outcomes at Sinte Gleska University?

The four-year graduation rate stands at 5%, though the employment rate reaches 87.2% for graduates. Median earnings one year after graduation are $44,015, reflecting the university's role in preparing students for careers that serve their tribal community.

Where is Sinte Gleska University located and what is the campus setting?

The university sits in Mission, South Dakota, in a rural-remote setting on the Rosebud Reservation. Founded in 1970, it operates as one of the nation's tribal colleges, serving the educational needs of the Rosebud Sioux Tribe in a distinctly Native American environment.

Does Sinte Gleska University have strong student retention?

The university achieves a remarkable 100% retention rate, meaning virtually all first-year students return for their second year. This exceptional retention reflects the close-knit tribal community atmosphere and the university's deep cultural connections to the students it serves.