Navigating Tuition and Fees at South Dakota State University
South Dakota State University (SDSU) is the state’s largest higher-education institution. As South Dakota’s Morrill Act land-grant university, SDSU had a fall 2025 enrollment of 12,139, with students coming from 48 states and 78 countries. Understanding the costs associated with attending SDSU is crucial for prospective students and their families. This article provides a comprehensive overview of tuition, fees, and other expenses at SDSU, offering insights into direct and indirect costs, as well as financial aid opportunities.
Understanding Direct and Indirect Costs
When planning for college expenses, it's essential to differentiate between direct and indirect costs. Total direct costs represent an estimate of what full-time students will owe directly to the university. Total direct and indirect costs include other estimated expenses for things like transportation and personal care.
Direct Costs
Direct costs are those billed directly by the university. They include:
- Tuition and Fees: This is the primary cost of enrollment, covering instruction, access to university resources, and various campus services.
- Housing and Food: This covers on-campus room and board expenses.
Indirect Costs
Indirect costs are expenses not directly billed by SDSU. These expenses will vary for each student. They include estimated expenses for transportation, personal items, books and supplies, and room and board for students living off campus. They include:
- Books and Supplies: Costs for textbooks, course materials, and other academic necessities.
- Travel: Expenses related to transportation, including travel to and from campus.
- Personal: Costs for personal care items, clothing, and other miscellaneous expenses.
- Loan Fee: Added to estimated costs to offset loan Direct Loan origination fees
Tuition and Fees Breakdown
SDSU offers various tuition rates based on residency, program, and enrollment status. Here's a detailed breakdown:
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Undergraduate Tuition
For undergraduate students, tuition rates vary depending on residency status:
- South Dakota Residents, South Dakota Advantage, and Child of Alumni: \$3,999 per semester (\$266.60/credit hour) based on 15 credits per semester
- Minnesota Resident: \$4,683.75 per semester (\$312.25/credit hour) based on 15 credits per semester (for students who started in the spring 2024 term or in a prior term)
- Non-Resident: \$5,805 per semester (\$387/credit hour) based on 15 credits per semester
Graduate Tuition
Graduate tuition rates also depend on residency:
- Resident: \$350 per credit hour
- Non-Resident: \$673 per credit hour
Online Courses
Online courses have a different fee structure:
- \$365.05/credit hour
This cost includes tuition and all general fees. Online courses do not require payment of the general activity fee listed above. More information can be found on the Tuition and Fees page under online tuition rates.
Additional Fees
- General Activity Fee: \$51.85 per credit. The General Activity Fee is a mandatory student fee that supports the student experience to include student activities, student organizations, student government, the University Student Union, the Miller Wellness Center, athletics, intramurals and student health and counseling services. In addition, it provides facility funding for the University Student Union, Miller Wellness Center and dining facilities. The fee is assessed on all on-campus credit hours.
- Some majors require additional discipline fees. Courses in certain disciplines have additional fees that may increase the total tuition and fee estimates listed above. These additional fees are based on the number of credits students take in that discipline.
Estimated Cost of Attendance
To provide a clearer picture of the overall cost, here are some estimated annual costs of attendance, broken down by residency:
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Estimated Undergraduate Cost of Attendance
Using Housing and Food costs of $10,648
- South Dakota Residents, South Dakota Advantage, and Child of Alumni:
- Tuition and Fees: \$9,554
- Housing and Food: \$10,648
- Total Direct Costs: \$20,202
- Books and Supplies: \$810
- Travel: \$1,846
- Personal: \$2,338
- Loan Fee: \$66
- Total Direct and Indirect Costs: \$25,262
- Minnesota Resident:
- Tuition and Fees: \$11,196
- Housing and Food: \$10,648
- Total Direct Costs: \$21,844
- Books and Supplies: \$810
- Travel: \$1,846
- Personal: \$2,338
- Loan Fee: \$66
- Total Direct and Indirect Costs: \$26,904
- Non-Resident:
- Tuition and Fees: \$13,166
- Housing and Food: \$10,648
- Total Direct Costs: \$23,814
- Books and Supplies: \$810
- Travel: \$1,846
- Personal: \$2,338
- Loan Fee: \$66
- Total Direct and Indirect Costs: \$28,874
- All Internet Courses:
- Tuition and Fees: \$10,952
- Housing and Food: \$10,648
- Total Direct Costs: \$21,600
- Books and Supplies: \$810
- Travel: \$1,846
- Personal: \$2,338
- Loan Fee: \$66
- Total Direct and Indirect Costs: \$26,660
Using Housing and Food costs of $11,594
- South Dakota Residents, South Dakota Advantage, and Child of Alumni:
- Tuition and Fees: \$9,554
- Housing and Food: \$11,594
- Total Direct Costs: \$21,148
- Books and Supplies: \$810
- Travel: \$2,298
- Personal: \$2,912
- Loan Fee: \$66
- Total Direct and Indirect Costs: \$27,234
- Minnesota Resident:
- Tuition and Fees: \$11,196
- Housing and Food: \$11,594
- Total Direct Costs: \$22,790
- Books and Supplies: \$810
- Travel: \$2,298
- Personal: \$2,912
- Loan Fee: \$66
- Total Direct and Indirect Costs: \$28,876
- Non-Resident:
- Tuition and Fees: \$13,166
- Housing and Food: \$11,594
- Total Direct Costs: \$24,760
- Books and Supplies: \$810
- Travel: \$2,298
- Personal: \$2,912
- Loan Fee: \$66
- Total Direct and Indirect Costs: \$30,846
- All Internet Courses:
- Tuition and Fees: \$10,952
- Housing and Food: \$11,594
- Total Direct Costs: \$22,546
- Books and Supplies: \$810
- Travel: \$2,298
- Personal: \$2,912
- Loan Fee: \$66
- Total Direct and Indirect Costs: \$28,632
Using Housing and Food costs of $5,004
- South Dakota Residents, South Dakota Advantage, and Child of Alumni:
- Tuition and Fees: \$9,554
- Housing and Food: \$5,004
- Total Direct Costs: \$14,558
- Books and Supplies: \$810
- Travel: \$1,846
- Personal: \$2,338
- Loan Fee: \$66
- Total Direct and Indirect Costs: \$19,618
- Minnesota Resident:
- Tuition and Fees: \$11,196
- Housing and Food: \$5,004
- Total Direct Costs: \$16,200
- Books and Supplies: \$810
- Travel: \$1,846
- Personal: \$2,338
- Loan Fee: \$66
- Total Direct and Indirect Costs: \$21,260
- Non-Resident:
- Tuition and Fees: \$13,166
- Housing and Food: \$5,004
- Total Direct Costs: \$18,170
- Books and Supplies: \$810
- Travel: \$1,846
- Personal: \$2,338
- Loan Fee: \$66
- Total Direct and Indirect Costs: \$23,230
- All Internet Courses:
- Tuition and Fees: \$10,952
- Housing and Food: \$5,004
- Total Direct Costs: \$15,956
- Books and Supplies: \$810
- Travel: \$1,846
- Personal: \$2,338
- Loan Fee: \$66
- Total Direct and Indirect Costs: \$21,016
Using Housing and Food costs of $10,648 and Books and Suppies of $380
- South Dakota Residents, South Dakota Advantage, and Child of Alumni:
- Tuition and Fees: \$8,038
- Housing and Food: \$10,648
- Total Direct Costs: \$18,686
- Books and Supplies: \$380
- Travel: \$1,846
- Personal: \$2,338
- Loan Fee: \$152
- Total Direct and Indirect Costs: \$23,402
- Minnesota Resident:
- Tuition and Fees: \$12,550
- Housing and Food: \$10,648
- Total Direct Costs: \$23,198
- Books and Supplies: \$380
- Travel: \$1,846
- Personal: \$2,338
- Loan Fee: \$152
- Total Direct and Indirect Costs: \$27,914
- Non-Resident:
- Tuition and Fees: \$14,498
- Housing and Food: \$10,648
- Total Direct Costs: \$25,146
- Books and Supplies: \$380
- Travel: \$1,846
- Personal: \$2,338
- Loan Fee: \$152
- Total Direct and Indirect Costs: \$29,862
- All Internet Courses:
- Tuition and Fees: \$9,682
- Housing and Food: \$10,648
- Total Direct Costs: \$20,330
- Books and Supplies: \$380
- Travel: \$1,846
- Personal: \$2,338
- Loan Fee: \$152
- Total Direct and Indirect Costs: \$25,046
Using Housing and Food costs of $11,594 and Books and Suppies of $380
- South Dakota Residents, South Dakota Advantage, and Child of Alumni:
- Tuition and Fees: \$8,038
- Housing and Food: \$11,594
- Total Direct Costs: \$19,632
- Books and Supplies: \$380
- Travel: \$2,298
- Personal: \$2,912
- Loan Fee: \$152
- Total Direct and Indirect Costs: \$25,374
- Minnesota Resident:
- Tuition and Fees: \$12,550
- Housing and Food: \$11,594
- Total Direct Costs: \$24,144
- Books and Supplies: \$380
- Travel: \$2,298
- Personal: \$2,912
- Loan Fee: \$152
- Total Direct and Indirect Costs: \$29,886
- Non-Resident:
- Tuition and Fees: \$14,498
- Housing and Food: \$11,594
- Total Direct Costs: \$26,092
- Books and Supplies: \$380
- Travel: \$2,298
- Personal: \$2,912
- Loan Fee: \$152
- Total Direct and Indirect Costs: \$31,834
- All Internet Courses:
- Tuition and Fees: \$9,682
- Housing and Food: \$11,594
- Total Direct Costs: \$21,276
- Books and Supplies: \$380
- Travel: \$2,298
- Personal: \$2,912
- Loan Fee: \$152
- Total Direct and Indirect Costs: \$27,018
Using Housing and Food costs of $5,004 and Books and Suppies of $380
- South Dakota Residents, South Dakota Advantage, and Child of Alumni:
- Tuition and Fees: \$8,038
- Housing and Food: \$5,004
- Total Direct Costs: \$13,042
- Books and Supplies: \$380
- Travel: \$1,846
- Personal: \$2,338
- Loan Fee: \$152
- Total Direct and Indirect Costs: \$17,758
- Minnesota Resident:
- Tuition and Fees: \$12,550
- Housing and Food: \$5,004
- Total Direct Costs: \$17,554
- Books and Supplies: \$380
- Travel: \$1,846
- Personal: \$2,338
- Loan Fee: \$152
- Total Direct and Indirect Costs: \$22,270
- Non-Resident:
- Tuition and Fees: \$14,498
- Housing and Food: \$5,004
- Total Direct Costs: \$19,502
- Books and Supplies: \$380
- Travel: \$1,846
- Personal: \$2,338
- Loan Fee: \$152
- Total Direct and Indirect Costs: \$24,218
- All Internet Courses:
- Tuition and Fees: \$9,682
- Housing and Food: \$5,004
- Total Direct Costs: \$14,686
- Books and Supplies: \$380
- Travel: \$1,846
- Personal: \$2,338
- Loan Fee: \$152
- Total Direct and Indirect Costs: \$19,402
These estimates provide a comprehensive view of the expenses involved in attending SDSU.
Estimated Cost for International Students
The following is the estimated annual cost for international students attending South Dakota State University. Tuition, fees, room and board charges are subject to changes that are published annually by the South Dakota Board of Regents.
Based on 15 credit hours per semester of general courses, which are required for four-year graduation. Please visit Undergraduate Tuition and Fees by Major to determine actual costs by major. Programs such as aviation and architecture have significantly higher costs. Please see below for special programs with higher estimated costs of attendance.
These are estimated costs associated with anticipated apartment rental, utilities and food costs. You can refer to the Living Wage Calculator for Brookings County, South Dakota, for estimated room and board costs.
Students should allow for personal expenses, which can run from \$500 to \$2,000 per year.
Additional Estimates of Annual Expenses
- Living Expenses for Dependent Spouse: \$10,032
- Living Expenses for Each Dependent Child: \$6,958
If you are self-funded (the bank documents are in your name), you must provide evidence that you can fund your entire duration of the study. To determine this amount, multiply your total costs with dependents as follows:
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- Undergraduate and Ph.D.
Financial Aid and Scholarships
SDSU is committed to making education affordable. Financial aid can include grants, loans, scholarships and work-study jobs. Financial aid packages vary depending on your financial need. Most colleges determine financial need based on your FAFSA. Here’s an overview of financial aid opportunities:
- Students Receiving Financial Aid: 46.07%
- Average Aid Package: \$10,315
Types of Aid
- Need-Based Scholarship or Grant Award: \$5,712 (Scholarships and grants don’t need to be paid back.)
- Need-Based Loan Amount: \$6,587 (Loans must be paid back.)
Debt at Graduation
- The typical amount of loans a student must pay back: \$30,134
Financial Aid Dates
- Application Due: Mar 1 (The last day to apply for financial aid or turn in related paperwork.)
- Notification Date: Jan 1 (When students receive a letter with the amount and types of aid the college is offering.)
Net Price
- Average Net Price: \$17,859 per year. Your net price is a college’s cost of attendance minus the grants and scholarships you receive. The net price you pay for a particular college is specific to you because it’s based on your personal circumstances and the college’s financial aid policies. Use the college’s Net Price calculator for the most accurate estimate of your net price.
Tuition Reduction Programs
SDSU offers several programs to reduce tuition costs for eligible students:
- South Dakota Advantage Program: New Freshman and transfer students from North Dakota, Montana, Wyoming, Colorado, Nebraska, Iowa, Wisconsin, Illinois, Minnesota, Kansas, and Missouri* qualify for the in-state tuition rate. The SD Advantage program allows students from the selected states the benefit of South Dakota resident tuition. *Recently added states are eligible for the in-state tuition rate beginning the summer 2024 term.
- South Dakota State Employee Tuition Benefit: Eligible state employees working for the state of South Dakota can receive a tuition reduction for online or on-campus courses offered by Dakota State University. The reduction is equal to 50% of the resident undergraduate on-campus rate.
- Child of Alumni Rate: Children of Dakota State University alumni may qualify to pay in-state tuition for their undergraduate degree.
- Reduced Tuition - Persons 65 Years of Age and Older: Senior citizens who are residents of South Dakota are eligible to receive a reduced tuition rate. To qualify, you must be at least 65 years of age or will celebrate your 65th birthday during the calendar year of enrollment.
- Minnesota Reciprocity: Minnesota students enrolled in SDBOR institutions during the 2023-2024 academic year will continue to receive the equivalent of the Minnesota Reciprocity rate.
- South Dakota National Guard State Tuition Assistance: South Dakota National Guard members may be eligible for a benefit of free in-state tuition after federal tuition benefits are applied, but the benefits in total may not exceed 100% of the tuition cost. The graduate benefit is limited to 32 credit hours. The undergraduate benefit is limited to 128 credit hours.
Participation in the program is limited to new freshmen or first-time transfers attending the same university from which one of their parents or legal guardians received a degree. Children of Alumni: Non-resident undergraduate freshmen students or first-time transfers attending the same university from which one of their parents or legal guardian received a degree can attend at the resident on-campus tuition rate. Starting in summer of 2023, the rate is offered to graduate level students if the student is a Child of Alum attending the same university from which one of their parents or legal guardian received a degree and the student received an undergraduate degree from an SDBOR institution. Professional graduate programs that have a unique/higher non-resident tuition rate structure are excluded from the Child of Alumni rate. The programs that are excluded include Pharmacy and Veterinary 2+2 programs. Eligibility criteria approved by the Board of Regents differ between institutions and are available from each university.
Effective Summer 2025, the South Dakota Advantage program is available for capped programs of Pharm.D. and Vet 2+2 for new and transfer students meeting certain criteria (footnote 12).
Effective Summer 2023, Child of Alum (footnote 4) rate is offered to graduate level students if the student is a Child of Alum attending the same university from which one of their parents or legal guardian received a degree and the student received an undergraduate degree from an SDBOR institution.Professional graduate programs that have a unique/higher non-resident tuition rate structure are excluded from the Child of Alumni rate. The programs that are excluded include Pharmacy and Veterinary 2+2 programs. Effective Summer 2023, the South Dakota Advantage Program (footnote 3) rate is offered to graduate level students if the student is from a South Dakota Advantage state and received an undergraduate degree from an SDBOR institution.
Discipline Fees
Some courses may have additional discipline-specific fees. Here's a summary of these fees:
- Art and Graphic Design: \$27.65/credit (DSGN, ARTD, GDES courses)
- Animal Sciences: \$65.70/credit (AS courses)
- Architecture: \$475.65/credit (ARCH courses)
- Aviation: \$42.85/credit (AVIA courses)
- Biology/Microbiology/Anatomy: \$44.45/credit (BIOL, MICR courses)
- Chemistry: \$54.10/credit (CHEM courses)
- Computer Science: \$74.10/credit (CSC, CSS, INFO courses)
- Counselor Education/Counselor Human Resources Development: \$26.80/credit (CHRD courses)
- Dairy Science/Food Science: \$83.95/credit (DS, FS courses)
- Dance: \$27.65/credit (DANC courses)
- Dietetics Internship: \$540/credit (NUTR 695 and 794)
- Business (undergraduate): \$30.90/credit (ACCT, AGEC, BADM, BLAW, DSCI, ECON, ENTR, FIN, HRM, MGMT, MKTG courses)
- Business (graduate): \$55.50/credit (AGEC, BADM, BLAW, DSCI, ECON, FIN, HRM, MKTG courses)
- Engineering: \$89.05/credit (ABE, ABME, AST, CEE, CIM, CM, EE, EM, ET, GE, ME, MNET, SE courses)
- Fine Arts: \$27.65/credit (ART, ARTE, ARTH courses)
- Health/Wellness: \$21.70/credit (AT, EXS, HLTH, HNS, PE, RECR, WEL courses)
- Hospitality Management: \$30.35/credit (HMGT courses)
- Interior Design/Landscape Design: \$30.25/credit (ID, LA courses)
- Mass Communications: \$20/credit (ADV, MCOM, PUBR courses)
- Mathematics/Statistics: \$44.45/credit (MATH, STAT courses)
- Medical Lab Sciences - On Campus: \$135.80/credit (Professional portion of the MLS program)
- Medical Lab Sciences - Off Campus: \$141.86/credit (Professional portion of the MLS program)
- M.S. Human Biology: \$227.60/credit (MS: BIOL, BIOS, MICR courses)
- Music: \$27.65/credit (MUAP, MUEN, MUS courses)
- Nursing/Allied Health (undergraduate): \$108.70/credit (NURS, HSC courses)
- Nursing/Allied Health (graduate): \$239/credit (NURS, HSC courses)
- Nutrition: \$30.25/credit (NUTR, NFS courses)
- Operations Management: \$84.80/credit (OM courses)
- Other Sciences(2): \$21.60/credit (ABS, BIOS, BOT, EES, GEOG, HO, NRM, PS, WL courses)
- Pharmacy: \$213.20/credit (PHA undergraduate courses; Pharm.D. courses taken by students in the M.S. and Ph.D. programs)
- Pharmacy: \$289.05/credit (PHA courses taken by non-Pharm.D.)
Understanding the General Activity Fee
The General Activity Fee (GAF) is a mandatory fee assessed on all on-campus credit hours. It supports various student activities and services, including:
- Student Organizations
- University Student Union
- Miller Wellness Center
- Intercollegiate Athletics
- Transportation System
- Dining
The 2025-26 General Activity Fee is \$51.85 per credit, broken down as follows:
- Student Organizations: \$2.25
- University Student Union: \$13.85
- Miller Wellness Center: \$16.68
- Intercollegiate Athletics: \$12.39
- Transportation System: \$0.08
- Dining: \$6.60
- Total: \$51.85
tags: #south #dakota #state #university #tuition #fees
