Head-to-head · 2026
North Dakota State University-Main Campus vs Sitting Bull College
Compare average net price ($15,543 at North Dakota State University-Main Campus; $4,605 at Sitting Bull College), ROI score (10.00 vs 15.47), school-wide ten-year median earnings ($62,203 vs $28,488), and admissions context (95% at North Dakota State University-Main Campus; Open / not reported at Sitting Bull College) using federal College Scorecard data. The table keeps affordability, outcomes, access and program fit separate rather than declaring one universal winner.
Face to face
Metric-by-metric comparison
13 metrics, side by side. Color marks a useful directional signal; admissions, SAT, tuition eligibility, ownership and enrollment stay neutral.
| Metric | North Dakota State University-Main Campus | Sitting Bull College |
|---|---|---|
| ROI score (school-wide) | 10.00 | 15.47 ✓ |
| Avg net price | $15,543 | $4,605 ✓ |
| 4-year avg net price | $62,172 | $18,420 ✓ |
| In-state tuition | $11,110 | $4,010 |
| Out-of-state tuition | $15,764 | $4,010 |
| School-wide earnings (10y) | $62,203 ✓ | $28,488 |
| Acceptance rate | 95% | Open / not reported |
| Graduation rate | 63.9% ✓ | 21.6% |
| Retention rate | 78.4% | — |
| Median debt | $23,199 | — |
| Enrollment | 9,471 | 257 |
| Ownership | Public | Public |
| Avg SAT | 1150 | — |
Cost by family income
Reported net price by income band
Federal averages for students receiving Title IV aid. These are context, not a substitute for either school's financial-aid offer.
| Income band | North Dakota State University-Main Campus | Sitting Bull College |
|---|---|---|
| Family income $0–30k | $9,370 | $5,056 ✓ |
| Family income $30–48k | $11,343 | $3,739 ✓ |
| Family income $48–75k | $11,923 | $3,122 ✓ |
| Family income $75–110k | $16,082 | — |
| Family income $110k+ | $18,856 | — |
Program fit
Shared fields with reported awards
Award share is the share of reported credentials in a field, not the share of currently enrolled students.
| Shared field | North Dakota State University-Main Campus | Sitting Bull College |
|---|---|---|
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | 5.4% | 12.9% |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | 0.3% | 7.1% |
| Ethnic, Cultural Minority, Gender, and Group Studies | 0.4% | 5.7% |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities | 0.2% | 4.3% |
Decision readout
What the differences mean
Sitting Bull College reports the lower average net price by $10,938 per year. Holding today's averages constant, that is a $43,752 difference over four years ($18,420 vs $62,172).
North Dakota State University-Main Campus reports $33,715 higher school-wide median earnings ten years after entry ($62,203 vs $28,488). This is not earnings for a specific major.
Retention data is incomplete for at least one school. Compare the available graduation, debt, price and admissions context without treating a missing field as an advantage.
4 of the strongest shared fields with positive award-share data are listed below. Award share describes reported credentials in a field, not the percentage of currently enrolled students.
Keep comparing
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Frequently asked
North Dakota State University-Main Campus vs Sitting Bull College, answered
3 of the most common questions, with real numbers from federal data.
Which school costs less after aid?
Sitting Bull College is cheaper — average net price $4,605 per year vs $15,543 at North Dakota State University-Main Campus. The annual difference of $10,938 adds up to about $43,752 over four years.
Which school reports higher earnings?
North Dakota State University-Main Campus reports higher school-wide median earnings ten years after entry: $62,203 vs $28,488 at Sitting Bull College. The gap in the federal data is $33,715. This is not major-specific earnings.
Is there an overall winner?
No single metric makes either school the universal winner. Compare your actual aid offers, residency tuition, intended major, graduation and retention rates, debt, location and campus fit. EduGradify keeps these trade-offs separate instead of combining admissions selectivity and test scores into a final verdict.