Williston State College vs Cankdeska Cikana Community College: which has better ROI?
Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but Williston State College comes closer — median earnings $44,017 against a $11,864 total, vs $17,008 at Cankdeska Cikana Community College. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Williston State College | Cankdeska Cikana Community College |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $5,932 | $6,507 |
| Total net cost | $11,864 | $13,014 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $44,017 | $17,008 |
| Median debt | $10,099 | — |
| Payback | — | — |
| 20-year net return | -$98,724 | -$640,054 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, Williston State College or Cankdeska Cikana Community College?
Williston State College, at $5,932 a year after aid versus $6,507 — a gap of $575 a year, or $1,150 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.
Do Williston State College or Cankdeska Cikana Community College graduates earn more?
Williston State College graduates report a median $44,017 ten years after entry, $27,009 more than the $17,008 at Cankdeska Cikana Community 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?
42% of students finish at Williston State College, against 28% at Cankdeska Cikana Community 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.