At $3,455/yr net price, Sitting Bull College graduates earn $28,488/yr within 10 years of enrollment.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $3,455 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $13,820 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $28,488/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | $-5,512/yr |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 23.9% |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $3,351/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $2,802/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $3,580/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $9,566/yr |
The Risk Factor
23.9% of students at Sitting Bull College graduate within 6 years. Fewer than half of students complete their degree. If you don't graduate, the financial investment may not pay off.
Analysis
Sitting Bull College costs you very little upfront, but the earnings payoff is weak. At $3,455 a year in net price, you are paying a fraction of what most four-year schools charge. The problem is what comes after: median earnings ten years out sit at $28,488, low for a four-year degree and close to what many jobs pay without one.
The low price does real work here. If your family earns under $48k, you pay less than $3,500 a year, and the $30-48k bracket actually pays the least at $2,802. That keeps your debt exposure small, which matters when the earnings on the other end are this modest. A small loan against a $28k salary is survivable. a large one would not be.
The jump at the top income tier is the number to watch. If your family earns $75-110k, your net price nearly triples to $9,566. At that income level, weigh whether the earnings outcome justifies paying almost three times what lower-income families pay for the same degree.
The bigger risk is completion. Only about a quarter of students finish. If you enroll and don't graduate, you carry whatever cost and time you spent with no credential to show for it, and the low earnings figure assumes you actually finished.
This school fits you if you live in or near Fort Yates, want to stay in the region, and value low cost and access over high earnings. If your goal is maximizing income after graduation, the earnings data says look elsewhere. No bachelor-level program salary data is listed here, so pin down what specific programs pay before you commit.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Sitting Bull College worth the cost?
Sitting Bull College has a very low net price at $3,455 per year, but graduates earn only $28,488 ten years after enrollment. The extremely low graduation rate of 24% means most students don't finish their programs.
What is the return on investment for Sitting Bull College?
The ROI is poor despite low costs. With average earnings of $28,488 after 10 years and only 1 in 4 students graduating, most students would be better off pursuing other options.
Do Sitting Bull College graduates struggle with student debt?
While the low net price of $3,455 means minimal debt for those who graduate, the 24% graduation rate means most students leave without a degree and may still owe money.
Which programs at Sitting Bull College offer the best job prospects?
With overall graduate earnings of just $28,488 after 10 years, no programs at Sitting Bull College show strong earning potential compared to national averages.