Sisseton Wahpeton College: $4,330 Tuition

$4,330Tuition

209Students

13%Grad Rate (6-yr)

$31,546Earnings

#16 in South DakotaPublic4-yearData: 2023-24

About Sisseton Wahpeton College

Sisseton Wahpeton College serves as a cornerstone of Dakota and Lakota education in rural South Dakota. The tribal college focuses on culturally-centered learning and workforce development programs that honor Indigenous traditions while preparing students for modern careers. With just 209 students enrolled, this institution creates an intimate learning environment where Dakota and Lakota heritage shapes every aspect of education.

Students pay remarkably little for their education here. The average net price is $3,050, and families earning under $30,000 pay only $778 after financial aid. However, graduates earn a median of $31,546 ten years after starting college, making this one of the most affordable pathways to higher education in the region. Nearly 58% of students receive Pell Grants, reflecting the college's commitment to serving low-income communities.

The student body is predominantly Native American, with only 3% of students identifying as white. Women make up 63% of enrollment, typical for tribal colleges nationwide. The 7:1 student-faculty ratio ensures personalized attention that larger institutions cannot match. Though graduation rates are low at 13% over six years, the college serves students who often face significant barriers to completing traditional degree programs while maintaining strong connections to their communities.

Academics & Faculty

Sisseton Wahpeton College centers Dakota and Lakota cultural values throughout its academic programs. The 7:1 student-faculty ratio ensures intensive mentorship in a close-knit learning environment. Students pursue degrees in fields like business administration, environmental science, and Dakota studies that connect traditional knowledge with contemporary career preparation. The college emphasizes workforce development for tribal communities through practical programs in areas like construction trades and office administration. With a 10.47% four-year graduation rate, many students take longer to complete degrees while balancing family and work responsibilities common in tribal communities. The institution serves as both an educational gateway and cultural preservation center for the Lake Traverse Reservation.

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

Student-to-Faculty Ratio: 7:1
Full-Time Faculty: 61.9%
Graduation Rate (4-year): 10.5%
Graduation Rate (6-year): 13.0%
Median Earnings (10 years): $31,546
Carnegie Classification: Tribal College

Campus Life

Sisseton Wahpeton College sits in rural northeastern South Dakota, about 90 miles from Fargo and 200 miles from Minneapolis. The campus houses only 39 students despite serving 209 total, meaning most commute from nearby Dakota communities. With 97% of students from South Dakota, the college draws primarily from local tribal nations.

Winter coats are essential here. South Dakota winters bring sub-zero temperatures and heavy snow, while summers can reach the 80s. The 7:1 student-faculty ratio creates an intimate learning environment where professors know every student by name. Four varsity sports teams field just 25 total athletes, reflecting the college's small scale.

Weekends often center around cultural events and powwows that connect students to Dakota and Lakota traditions. The college emphasizes workforce development alongside cultural preservation. With such a small residential population, campus social life tends to be quiet. Students frequently travel home or to nearby towns for entertainment. The rural setting offers hunting, fishing, and outdoor activities popular in Dakota culture. Academic support runs deep due to the close-knit community atmosphere.

Setting: Rural-Remote
Housing Capacity: 39 beds
Calendar System: Semester
Founded: 1979

Campus Safety (2023)

3 total reported incidents. Source: Clery Act / U.S. Department of Education

Campus safety incidents by location
Offense	On Campus	Public Property
Burglary	1	0
Dating Violence	1	0
Domestic Violence	0	1

Climate & Weather

January Avg: 3°–23°F
July Avg: 59°–82°F
Annual Precipitation: 46.9"
Annual Snowfall: 44.5"

Student Demographics

Students at this tribal college come almost entirely from South Dakota, with 97% choosing to stay close to home. The student body is nearly two-thirds women, reflecting the college's strong programs in education, healthcare, and social services that traditionally attract female students. With 58% receiving Pell Grants, the college serves students from families with limited financial resources. Most students are Native American, primarily from the Dakota and Lakota communities that the college was founded to serve. The intimate enrollment of 209 students creates a tight-knit community focused on cultural preservation and local workforce development.

Men: 36.8%
Women: 63.2%
White: 3.4%
Black: 2.9%
Hispanic: 0.0%
Asian: 0.5%
In-State Students: 97.0%
Pell Grant Recipients: 58.1%

Location

Sisseton sits in northeastern South Dakota, roughly 150 miles from Minneapolis-St. Paul and 120 miles from Fargo. The college serves a rural area within the Lake Traverse Reservation, where Dakota and Lakota heritage shapes daily life. With 209 students on campus, the institution operates in a close-knit community surrounded by prairie landscapes and glacial lakes. The remote setting means 97% of students come from in-state, creating strong local ties. Housing capacity reaches just 39 students, reflecting the college's intimate scale. The area offers outdoor recreation but limited urban amenities. Students considering colleges in South Dakota may also compare Sisseton Wahpeton College with similar schools in the region.

Address: Sisseton, South Dakota 57262

After College

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

Median Earnings (10 years): $31,546
Mean Earnings (6 years after entry): $18,700

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the student-faculty ratio at Sisseton Wahpeton College?

Sisseton Wahpeton College maintains a 7:1 student-faculty ratio with just 209 total students. This intimate setting allows for personalized attention and reflects the college's mission to provide culturally-centered education to Dakota and Lakota communities.

How much does Sisseton Wahpeton College cost after financial aid?

The average net price is $3,050 annually, with students from families earning under $30,000 paying only $778. Both in-state and out-of-state tuition is set at $4,330, making this tribal college one of the most affordable options in higher education.

What are the graduation rates at Sisseton Wahpeton College?

The six-year graduation rate stands at 13% with a four-year rate of 10.47%. These figures reflect common challenges at tribal colleges, where students often balance education with family and community responsibilities while pursuing workforce development programs.

Does Sisseton Wahpeton College provide campus housing?

The college offers limited on-campus housing with a capacity of just 39 students and room and board costs of $3,000. Nearly 97% of students come from in-state, with many commuting from the surrounding Dakota and Lakota communities in rural South Dakota.

What are the career outcomes for Sisseton Wahpeton College graduates?

Graduates earn a median salary of $31,546 ten years after enrollment, with mean earnings of $18,700 at the six-year mark. The college focuses on workforce development programs that serve tribal communities and prepare students for careers that benefit their local areas.

How diverse is the student body at Sisseton Wahpeton College?

Women make up 63.16% of the student body, while only 3.35% of students identify as white. As a tribal college founded in 1979, it primarily serves Native American students from Dakota and Lakota communities, reflecting its mission of culturally-centered education.