School of Law Tuition & Costs

We ensure that our legal education is as affordable as possible for our students. Whether you are a resident or not, our costs are very competitive. As education costs have risen over the last few years, we have maintained some of the lowest rates in the country without sacrificing the quality of education.

Tuition & Costs

Full-time costs are based on a schedule of 12 or more credits per semester. The costs below reflect the full academic year (fall and spring semesters).

	Resident	MN Resident	Nonresident
Tuition	11736	20078	31276
Law School Activity Fee	3288	3288	3288
General Activity Fees	1769	1769	1769
Total

Flex-Time Tuition & Costs

Flex-time students pay per credit hour. This is available for students taking less than 12 credits per semester.

	Resident	MN Resident	Nonresident
Tuition (per credit hour)	391.2	661.43	1042.53
Law School Activity Fee (per semester)	1644	1644	1644
General Activity Fees (per credit hour)	55.3	55.3	55.3

Summer Semester Tuition & Fees

Summer semester tuition and fees are paid per credit hour and are based on the hourly rates listed above. Summer tuition and fees includes tuition and General Activity Fees only. For the summer semester, students are considered full-time if taking 9 credits and more and part-time if taking less than 9 credits.

Refunds

Enrolled students may be eligible for tuition and/or fee refunds under the circumstances designated by the South Dakota Board of Regents. Students who wish to apply for a refund by dropping or withdrawing from a class, or by withdrawing from the university, should begin the process by contacting the USD Knudson School of Law registrar.

View Board of Regents Refund Policy

Financial Aid and Scholarships

We strive to make an affordable legal education available to any student. You may contact the financial aid office for resources on attending the USD Knudson School of Law. Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is available beginning October 1 of each year and there is no charge for submitting the FAFSA. List The University of South Dakota's federal code of 003474 on your application. Federal financial aid options include Federal Stafford Loans, Grad PLUS Loans andFederal Work Study. The University of South Dakota's priority deadline for filing the FAFSA is April 1.
Scholarships are also available and all admitted students are automatically considered for internal scholarship opportunities. The scholarship committee considers a variety of factors, including merit and need, when selecting students for scholarships. Initial offers for internal scholarships will be made after a student is admitted. If you have any questions, please contact law@usd.edu.

Residency Information

As a public school, tuition costs vary based on residency status. You can determine your eligibility for South Dakota residency by reviewing the South Dakota Board of Regents policy. If you wish to apply for a change of residency status, you must contact the university registrar’s office.

View Board of Regents Policy

Veterans, South Dakota National Guard members and other military personnel may be eligible for discounted tuition rates or a waiver of the residency time requirement. For additional information, please contact the Military & Veteran Services office.

Who is a Resident for Tuition Purposes?

Anyone who has lived in South Dakota for 12 consecutive months prior to enrolling in a state institution
Active duty personnel and spouse stationed in South Dakota
Anyone who has graduated from a South Dakota High School
Anyone who marries a South Dakota resident