- Sisseton Wahpeton College is a public tribal land-grant college of the Sisseton Wahpeton Oyate on the Lake Traverse Reservation in South Dakota. It was established in 1979 and serves the Dakota people and the general public. SWC has an average enrollment of about 250 students, of whom more than 80% are tribal members.
School Highlights
Sisseton Wahpeton College serves 206 students (70% of students are full-time).
The college's student-teacher ratio of 9:1 is lower than the state community college average of 18:1.
Minority enrollment is 94% of the student body (majority American), which is more than the state average of 24%.
Quick Facts (2026)
- Enrollment: 206 students
- Student-teacher ratio: 9:1
- Minority enrollment: 94%
- Source: Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS)
Top Rankings
Sisseton Wahpeton College ranks among the top 20% of public schools in South Dakota for:
Category
Attribute
Completion Rates
School Overview
The teacher population of 23 teachers has stayed relatively flat over five years.
Sisseton Wahpeton College
(SD) Community College Avg.
Carnegie Classification
Tribal colleges and universities
Baccalaureate/Associate's Colleges
Institution Level
Four or more years
At least 2 but less than 4 years
Institution Control
Public
Private not-for-profit
Total Faculty
23 staff
71 staff
School Calendar
Student Body
The student population of Sisseton Wahpeton College has grown by 17% over five years.
The student-teacher ratio of 9:1 has stayed the same over five years.
The Sisseton Wahpeton College diversity score of 0.34 is more than the state average of 0.00. The school's diversity has grown by 9% over five years.
Total Enrollment
206 students
903 students
Student-Teacher Ratio
9:1
18:1
# Full-Time Students
145 students
151 students
# Part-Time Students
61 students
692 students
# Enrollment Undergraduate
206 students
767 students
# Full-Time Undergraduate Students
145 students
145 students
# Part-Time Undergraduate Students
61 students
655 students
% American Indian/Alaskan
81%
5%
% Asian
1%
1%
% Black
2%
6%
% White
6%
76%
% Hawaiian
6%
1%
% Two or more races
1%
2%
% Unknown races
3%
4%
Diversity Score
0.34
0.00
College Completion Rate (Students who graduate in less than 4 years)
23%
70%
College Completion Rate (Students who graduate in 4 years or more than 4 years) (Year 2024)
6%
6%
Average Graduate Earnings (10 Years)
$23,400
$38,900
Tuition and Acceptance Rate
% Students Receiving Some Financial Aid
83%
84%
Source: 2025 (or latest year available) Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) , School Administrators
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Sisseton Wahpeton College's ranking?
Sisseton Wahpeton College ranks among the top 20% of community college in South Dakota for: Highest completion rates.
Nearby Schools
The nearest community college to Sisseton Wahpeton College is North Dakota State College of Science (47.0 miles away)
School
Location
Miles
Quick Facts
800 N 6th St
Wahpeton, ND 58076
(701) 671-2403
Wahpeton, ND 58076
(701) 671-2403
47.0 miles
Enrollment: 3,367 students Student-teacher ratio: 20:1 Acceptance rate: 95% In-state tuition: $4,438 Out-state tuition: $10,850 Minority enrollment: 26%
Lake Area Technical College
Public
1201 Arrow Ave
Watertown, SD 57201
(605) 882-5284
Watertown, SD 57201
(605) 882-5284
52.8 miles
Enrollment: 2,312 students Student-teacher ratio: 18:1 In-state tuition: $4,930 Out-state tuition: $4,930 Minority enrollment: 9%
1414 College Way
Fergus Falls, MN 56537
(218) 736-1500
Fergus Falls, MN 56537
(218) 736-1500
62.9 miles
Enrollment: 5,645 students Student-teacher ratio: 37:1 Acceptance rate: 80% In-state tuition: $5,502 Out-state tuition: $5,502 Minority enrollment: 26%
1601 Jefferson Streeet
Alexandria, MN 56308
(320) 762-0221
Alexandria, MN 56308
(320) 762-0221
82.1 miles
Enrollment: 4,704 students Student-teacher ratio: 21:1 Acceptance rate: 100% In-state tuition: $6,115 Out-state tuition: $6,115 Minority enrollment: 15%
Rasmussen University-North Dakota
Private for-profit
4012 19th Avenue SW
Fargo, ND 58103
(701) 277-3889
Fargo, ND 58103
(701) 277-3889
82.4 miles
Enrollment: 52 students Student-teacher ratio: 5:1 Private-state tuition: $10,764 Minority enrollment: 52%
Recent Articles
Healthcare Workforce Programs: Fast Track or Overcrowded Path?
Explore whether community college healthcare programs still offer a fast track to rewarding careers or if growing enrollment and competition are changing the landscape.
How to Judge Job Placement Claims Before Enrolling
Learn how to evaluate community college job placement claims, understand employment statistics, and identify programs with proven career outcomes before you enroll.
Employer Partnerships: Real Hiring Pipeline or Marketing Claim?
Explore how community college employer partnerships work, learn how to identify genuine hiring pipelines, and discover the questions every prospective student should ask before enrolling in a career-focused program.
