Sitting Bull College: $4,010 Tuition

$4,010Tuition

226Students

24%Grad Rate (6-yr)

$28,488Earnings

#17 in North DakotaPublic4-yearData: 2023-24

About Sitting Bull College

Sitting Bull College serves as the educational heart of the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe, preserving Dakota and Lakota culture while preparing students for modern careers. This tribal college enrolls 226 students in the remote plains of North Dakota. The institution weaves traditional indigenous knowledge into its curriculum, offering degrees that honor tribal heritage while meeting contemporary educational standards. Students benefit from intensive mentorship with a 7:1 student-faculty ratio.

The financial picture tells a story of accessibility and community investment. Students pay an average net price of $3,455 after aid, making higher education remarkably affordable for tribal members and others. Nearly 69% of students receive financial aid, reflecting the college's commitment to removing economic barriers. Graduates earn a median of $28,488 ten years after completion, which may seem modest but represents meaningful economic mobility within the reservation context.

The student body reflects the college's mission, with over 90% identifying as Native American in a community where cultural identity runs deep. Women make up 62% of enrollment, typical for many tribal colleges. The Suns compete in athletics while maintaining focus on academic and cultural development. Housing capacity serves just 51 students, creating an intimate campus environment where everyone knows each other.

Academics & Faculty

Sitting Bull College serves the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe as one of the nation's tribal colleges, emphasizing Indigenous knowledge alongside traditional academic disciplines. The 7:1 student-faculty ratio provides intensive mentorship in a close-knit learning environment with just 226 total students. The college focuses on preserving Lakota and Dakota culture while offering practical degree programs in areas like business, education, and environmental science. Students receive significant individual attention from professors who understand Native communities. The 23% graduation rate reflects the challenges many tribal college students face, including economic pressures and family obligations, but the small class sizes help provide crucial academic and cultural support for those pursuing higher education.

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

Student-to-Faculty Ratio: 7:1
Full-Time Faculty: 73.0%
Graduation Rate (4-year): 22.6%
Graduation Rate (6-year): 23.9%
Median Earnings (10 years): $28,488
Carnegie Classification: Tribal College

Campus Life

Sitting Bull College sits on the Standing Rock reservation in rural North Dakota, where winter temperatures regularly drop below zero and students definitely need heavy coats. The campus houses just 51 students out of 226 total enrollment, meaning most commute from nearby tribal communities. With 7 students for every faculty member, you'll know your professors personally and they'll notice if you skip class.

The nearest major city is Bismarck, about 60 miles north, making weekend trips possible but not routine. Students here are 93% Native American, creating a tight-knit community centered on Lakota and Dakota cultural values. Campus life revolves around traditional ceremonies, powwows, and cultural events that connect academics to tribal heritage. Women make up 62% of students, and many are first-generation college attendees supported by extensive financial aid. Weekend activities often include cultural gatherings, basketball games for the Suns, and outdoor activities along the Missouri River. The small size means everyone knows each other, and campus feels more like an extended family than a typical college.

Setting: Rural-Remote
Housing Capacity: 51 beds
Calendar System: Semester
Founded: 1973

Campus Safety (2023)

No reported Clery Act crimes in 2023.

Climate & Weather

January Avg: 2°–27°F
July Avg: 56°–87°F
Annual Precipitation: 14.8"
Annual Snowfall: 28.6"

Student Demographics

Sitting Bull College draws students primarily from tribal communities, with nearly two-thirds coming from out-of-state to this remote North Dakota campus. The student body is 93% Native American, reflecting the college's mission to serve Indigenous students from across the region. Women outnumber men by a significant margin, which aligns with national trends in tribal college enrollment. Nearly 69% of students receive Pell Grants, showing the college serves students from lower-income families. The small enrollment of 226 creates an intimate learning environment where students share cultural heritage and educational goals.

Men: 38.1%
Women: 62.0%
White: 7.1%
Black: 0.0%
Hispanic: 1.3%
Asian: 0.0%
In-State Students: 36.7%
Pell Grant Recipients: 68.8%

Location

Fort Yates sits in south-central North Dakota on the Standing Rock Sioux Reservation. The campus lies roughly 60 miles south of Bismarck, the state capital. This rural-remote setting houses just 226 students in a vast prairie landscape along the Missouri River. The town serves as headquarters for the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe and reflects deep Native American cultural traditions. With 93% of students identifying as Native American, the college maintains strong ties to tribal heritage and community values. The surrounding area features rolling grasslands and agricultural land typical of the northern Great Plains. Students considering colleges in North Dakota may also compare Sitting Bull College with similar schools in the region.

Address: Fort Yates, North Dakota 58538-9721

After College

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

Median Earnings (10 years): $28,488
Median Earnings (5 years): $42,127
Mean Earnings (6 years after entry): $21,700

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the acceptance rate at Sitting Bull College?

Sitting Bull College operates as an open-access tribal institution serving the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe community. The college focuses on providing educational opportunities to Native American students and maintains enrollment of just 226 students. As a tribal college founded in 1973, it prioritizes community access over selective admissions.

How much does Sitting Bull College cost after financial aid?

Students pay an average net price of $3,455 annually, making it one of the most affordable college options in the region. The total cost of attendance is just $11,060, and 68.83% of students receive Pell Grants. For families earning under $30,000, the net price drops even lower to $3,351.

What is the student-faculty ratio at Sitting Bull College?

The college maintains a 7:1 student-faculty ratio, providing highly personalized attention in small classroom settings. This intimate learning environment reflects the college's commitment to supporting students from the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe. With only 226 total students, classes are designed for close mentorship and cultural connection.

What are the graduation rates at Sitting Bull College?

The six-year graduation rate is 23.90%, while the four-year rate is 22.58%. These rates reflect the unique challenges facing many tribal college students, including financial pressures and family obligations. The college focuses on serving a population that often faces significant barriers to traditional higher education completion.

Where is Sitting Bull College located and what is campus life like?

The campus sits in Fort Yates, North Dakota, in a rural-remote setting on Standing Rock Sioux Tribe lands. Housing capacity is limited to just 51 students, creating a tight-knit residential community. Women make up 61.95% of the student body, and the college operates on a semester calendar system.

How much do Sitting Bull College graduates earn after graduation?

Graduates earn a median of $28,488 ten years after enrollment, reflecting the college's role in preparing students for careers that serve tribal communities. The college's mission extends beyond earnings to preserving Native American culture and providing education rooted in tribal values. Many graduates remain in the region to contribute to their home communities.