An independent report on American higher education released today gives 49 states an "F" when it comes to affordability. That includes the Rushmore State. In South Dakota poor and working-class families must devote 30 percent of their income, even after aid, to pay for costs at public four-year colleges. The state makes no investment in need-based financial aid.

State higher education experts say the report gives South Dakota above average marks in several areas including how well students are prepared for college and the opportunities to participate in higher education. But when it comes to affordability the news isn't good.

On the campus of South Dakota State University in Brookings, many students say they're resigned to the fact that the cost of a college education is high and it's not getting any cheaper.

The study by the National Center for Public Policy and Higher Education judges states in five categories: preparation, participation, completion, affordability and benefits of higher education.

SDSU junior KC Condan says he has loans and scholarships to help pay for school. "In the workforce today you really need a college education to make it and a lot of people can't afford it."

The Executive Director of the South Dakota Board of Regents, Dr. Tad Perry, the group that oversees public higher education says there's one big factor why we get the failing grade in affordability. "We don't have a need-based state financial aid program. We're the only state in the union that does not have one."

And students like KC say when it comes to affordability tuition is only one of the things they worry about. "The cost of books is kind of outrageous. When you spend $800 on books a semester and you go to sell the books and maybe you get $100 back."

South Dakota wasn't the only state in the region to get an "F." In Minnesota the poor and working class pay 36% of their income for a student going to a local, public college. In Iowa it's at 40% and in Nebraska the average family pays 37% of it's income for a student going to college.