Head-to-head · 2026
Sisseton Wahpeton College vs South Dakota State University
Compare average net price ($2,977 at Sisseton Wahpeton College; $19,841 at South Dakota State University), ROI score (26.49 vs 6.94), school-wide ten-year median earnings ($31,546 vs $55,070), and admissions context (Open / not reported at Sisseton Wahpeton College; 98.3% at South Dakota State University) 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 | Sisseton Wahpeton College | South Dakota State University |
|---|---|---|
| ROI score (school-wide) | 26.49 ✓ | 6.94 |
| Avg net price | $2,977 ✓ | $19,841 |
| 4-year avg net price | $11,908 ✓ | $79,364 |
| In-state tuition | $4,330 | $9,299 |
| Out-of-state tuition | $4,330 | $12,809 |
| School-wide earnings (10y) | $31,546 | $55,070 ✓ |
| Acceptance rate | Open / not reported | 98.3% |
| Graduation rate | 20.6% | 62.4% ✓ |
| Retention rate | — | 83.8% |
| Median debt | — | $23,250 |
| Enrollment | 194 | 9,198 |
| Ownership | Public | Public |
| Avg SAT | — | 1120 |
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 | Sisseton Wahpeton College | South Dakota State University |
|---|---|---|
| Family income $0–30k | $590 ✓ | $14,266 |
| Family income $30–48k | $5,909 ✓ | $15,248 |
| Family income $48–75k | $5,315 ✓ | $18,073 |
| Family income $75–110k | $7,871 ✓ | $20,706 |
| Family income $110k+ | — | $21,886 |
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 | Sisseton Wahpeton College | South Dakota State University |
|---|---|---|
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | 13.6% | 0.8% |
| Human Development, Family Studies, and Related Services | 9.1% | 2.5% |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities | 4.6% | 3.4% |
Decision readout
What the differences mean
Sisseton Wahpeton College reports the lower average net price by $16,864 per year. Holding today's averages constant, that is a $67,456 difference over four years ($11,908 vs $79,364).
South Dakota State University reports $23,524 higher school-wide median earnings ten years after entry ($55,070 vs $31,546). 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.
3 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
Sisseton Wahpeton College vs South Dakota State University, answered
3 of the most common questions, with real numbers from federal data.
Which school costs less after aid?
Sisseton Wahpeton College is cheaper — average net price $2,977 per year vs $19,841 at South Dakota State University. The annual difference of $16,864 adds up to about $67,456 over four years.
Which school reports higher earnings?
South Dakota State University reports higher school-wide median earnings ten years after entry: $55,070 vs $31,546 at Sisseton Wahpeton College. The gap in the federal data is $23,524. 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.