Students Walking Outdoors on Campus by I.D. Weeks Library

Undergraduate Cost of Attendance

Your education should be affordable. At USD, it will be. 

The undergraduate cost of attendance is an estimate of the costs for one year as an undergraduate student at the University of South Dakota. If a student files a FAFSA, they are assigned a federal cost of attendance which is used in determining eligibility for federal student aid.

Direct costs are those costs that are automatically billed to your university account.

Indirect costs are expenses that would still be incurred, but not charged by the university.

Cost of Attendance Explained

Tuition & Fees

These are the costs for your classes. The amount listed is based on 30 credits per academic year of tuition and the general activity fee.

Course/Discipline Fees

These are fees charged in addition to tuition and the general activity fee. The amount shown represents an average that students pay per year in course/discipline fees. Some majors will have higher fees than the average. 

Housing & Food

The amount listed is based on an average of the residence options available and a standard food allowance that provides the equivalent of three meals each day. Your actual costs may differ depending on your housing assignment and meal plan choice. If you are not living on campus or do not have a meal plan through the university, you will not be charged for these items by the university.

Books, Course Materials, Supplies & Equipment

The amount listed is an estimate; your actual costs may differ each semester based on the classes you are taking.

Transportation & Personal Expenses

The amounts listed are an estimate for your daily personal expenses. These are not charged to you but you can use financial aid to help cover these costs if you so choose. Personal expenses include phone bills, clothes, entertainment, laundry, and gas.

Loan Fees

This amount is added to estimated costs to offset the direct loan origination fees.

View Cost Estimator Guide

Cost of Living On/Off Campus

On Campus

Undergraduate Students Living On Campus

SD Resident, SD Advantage* or Child of Alumni
Returning Minnesota Students
Non-Resident
Tuition & Fees
9687
11192
13299
Course/Discipline Fees*
510
510
510
Housing & Food
10590
10590
10590
Direct Costs Total
20787
22292
24399
Indirect Costs
Books, Course Materials, Supplies & Equipment
800
800
800
Personal Expenses
2595
2595
2595
Transportation Expenses
1767
1767
1767
Loan Fees
66
66
66
Indirect Costs Total
5228
5228
5228
Total Annual Cost of Attendance Estimate
26015
27520
29627

Off Campus

Undergraduate Students Living Off Campus

SD Resident, SD Advantage* or Child of Alumni
Returning Minnesota Students
Non-Resident
Online
USD - SF Associate Degree
Direct Costs
Tuition & Fees
9687
11192
13299
10952
9138
Course/Discipline Fees*
510
510
510
510
Direct Costs Total
10197
11702
13809
10952
9648
Indirect Costs
Housing & Food
11244
11244
11244
11244
11244
Books, Course Materials, Supplies & Equipment
800
800
800
800
800
Personal Expenses
2798
2798
2798
2798
2798
Transportation Expenses
2492
2492
2492
2492
2492
Loan Fees
66
66
66
66
66
Indirect Costs Total
17400
17400
17400
17400
17400
Total Annual Cost of Attendance Estimate
27597
29102
31209
28352
27048

Off Campus

Undergraduate Students Living Off Campus with a Parent or Guardian

SD Resident, SD Advantage* or Child of Alumni
Returning Minnesota Students
Non-Resident
Online
USD - SF Associate Degree
Direct Costs
Tuition & Fees
9687
11192
13299
10952
9138
Course/Discipline Fees*
510
510
510
510
Direct Costs Total
10197
11702
13809
10952
9648
Indirect Costs
Housing & Food
4912
4912
4912
4912
4912
Books, Course Materials, Supplies & Equipment
800
800
800
800
800
Personal Expenses
2595
2595
2595
2595
2595
Transportation Expenses
1767
1767
1767
1767
1767
Loan Fees
66
66
66
66
66
Indirect Costs Total
10140
10140
10140
10140
10140
Total Annual Cost of Attendance Estimate
20337
21842
23949
21092
19788

* SD Advantage: The in-state rate is available to new undergraduate students who are residents of South Dakota; Colorado, Iowa, Montana, Nebraska, North Dakota and Wyoming (starting Summer 2019); Illinois and Wisconsin (starting Summer 2022); Kansas, Minnesota and Missouri (starting Summer 2024); and children of alumni of USD. Please note that this rate is applicable only to incoming students from these states and does not extend to returning students who were initially enrolled as non-residents.

University of South Dakota tuition and fees are paid at the beginning of each semester and may change over the course of the year.

  1. Child of Alumni Rate: Parent or legal guardian received a degree from the University of South Dakota. For more information or to see if you qualify please contact the Office of Admissions at 605-658-6200.
  2. Students enrolled in select disciplines are subject to additional fees. View details of undergraduate tuition and fees.
  3. Housing rates based on double occupancy in a traditional-style residence hall. Explore housing and food costs.
  4. Undergraduate students living in residence halls are required to subscribe to a university meal plan. Food service rates shown represent the estimated cost of 21-meals per week. Various meal plans are available through the University of South Dakota's dining services.
 
A USD family posing for a photo with an award.

Carrying On Your Family's Coyote Legacy

Children of University of South Dakota alumni can pay in-state tuition for their undergraduate degrees – regardless of where they live. The program is limited to incoming freshmen or transfer students who attend the same university from which one of their parents or legal guardian received a degree. If students meet initial requirements for admission, their tuition rate will be at the in-state-rate per credit hour rather than the rate for out-of-state students making a world-class education from USD even more affordable.

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