Head-to-head · 2026
Northern State University vs Oglala Lakota College
Compare average net price ($15,812 at Northern State University; $1,895 at Oglala Lakota College), ROI score (7.53 vs 29.71), school-wide ten-year median earnings ($47,618 vs $22,517), and admissions context (93% at Northern State University; Open / not reported at Oglala Lakota 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 | Northern State University | Oglala Lakota College |
|---|---|---|
| ROI score (school-wide) | 7.53 | 29.71 ✓ |
| Avg net price | $15,812 | $1,895 ✓ |
| 4-year avg net price | $63,248 | $7,580 ✓ |
| In-state tuition | $8,845 | $2,684 |
| Out-of-state tuition | $11,947 | $2,684 |
| School-wide earnings (10y) | $47,618 ✓ | $22,517 |
| Acceptance rate | 93% | Open / not reported |
| Graduation rate | 48.9% ✓ | 8.7% |
| Retention rate | 77% ✓ | 62.1% |
| Median debt | $22,320 | — |
| Enrollment | 1,273 | 1,097 |
| Ownership | Public | Public |
| Avg SAT | 1089 | — |
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 | Northern State University | Oglala Lakota College |
|---|---|---|
| Family income $0–30k | $10,762 | $1,422 ✓ |
| Family income $30–48k | $12,087 | $219 ✓ |
| Family income $48–75k | $15,293 | $5,542 ✓ |
| Family income $75–110k | $18,372 | $6,535 ✓ |
| Family income $110k+ | $17,933 | — |
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 | Northern State University | Oglala Lakota College |
|---|---|---|
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | 7.1% | 21.2% |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | 8.4% | 13.9% |
| Educational Administration and Supervision | 2.7% | 1.8% |
| Design and Applied Arts | 0.7% | 1.8% |
Decision readout
What the differences mean
Oglala Lakota College reports the lower average net price by $13,917 per year. Holding today's averages constant, that is a $55,668 difference over four years ($7,580 vs $63,248).
Northern State University reports $25,101 higher school-wide median earnings ten years after entry ($47,618 vs $22,517). This is not earnings for a specific major.
First-year retention is 77% at Northern State University and 62.1% at Oglala Lakota College. Debt data is incomplete for at least one school, so it is not used as a deciding signal here.
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.
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Frequently asked
Northern State University vs Oglala Lakota College, answered
3 of the most common questions, with real numbers from federal data.
Which school costs less after aid?
Oglala Lakota College is cheaper — average net price $1,895 per year vs $15,812 at Northern State University. The annual difference of $13,917 adds up to about $55,668 over four years.
Which school reports higher earnings?
Northern State University reports higher school-wide median earnings ten years after entry: $47,618 vs $22,517 at Oglala Lakota College. The gap in the federal data is $25,101. 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.