Dakota College at Bottineau vs Sitting Bull College: which has better ROI?
Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but Dakota College at Bottineau comes closer — median earnings $40,576 against a $20,078 total, vs $28,488 at Sitting Bull College. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Dakota College at Bottineau | Sitting Bull College |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $10,039 | $4,605 |
| Total net cost | $20,078 | $9,210 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $40,576 | $28,488 |
| Median debt | $10,507 | — |
| Payback | — | — |
| 20-year net return | -$175,758 | -$406,650 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, Dakota College at Bottineau or Sitting Bull College?
Sitting Bull College, at $4,605 a year after aid versus $10,039 — a gap of $5,434 a year, or $10,868 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.
Do Dakota College at Bottineau or Sitting Bull College graduates earn more?
Dakota College at Bottineau graduates report a median $40,576 ten years after entry, $12,088 more than the $28,488 at Sitting Bull College. Both are institution-wide medians from federal tax records, so a high-paying major at the lower school can beat the average at the higher one.
Which graduates more of its students?
48% of students finish at Dakota College at Bottineau, against 22% at Sitting Bull College. Completion matters to the ROI arithmetic because a degree that is never finished still carries its cost and its debt, but earns none of the graduate premium above the $48,360 high-school baseline.