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. Students are assigned a federal aid cost of attendance once they file a FAFSA, which is used to determine the maximum amount of financial aid needed.

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; this does not include any special course fees.

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.

Undergraduate Students Living On Campus

	SD Resident, SD Advantage* or Child of Alumni	Returning Minnesota Students	Non-Resident
Direct Costs
Tuition & Fees	9432	10893	12942
Housing & Food	10356	10356	10356
Direct Costs Total	19788	21249	23298

Indirect Costs
Books, Course Materials, Supplies & Equipment	1000	1000	1000
Personal Expenses	3204	3204	3204
Transportation Expenses	1744	1744	1744
Loan Fees	66	66	66
Indirect Costs Total	6014	6014	6014

Total Annual Cost of Attendance Estimate	25802	27263	29312

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	9432	10893	12942	10643	8898
Direct Costs Total	9432	10893	12942	10643	8898

Indirect Costs
Housing & Food	10870	10870	10870	10870	10870
Books, Course Materials, Supplies & Equipment	1000	1000	1000	1000	1000
Personal Expenses	3204	3204	3204	3204	3204
Transportation Expenses	3076	3076	3076	3076	3076
Loan Fees	66	66	66	66	66
Indirect Costs Total	18216	18216	18216	18216	18216

Total Annual Cost of Attendance Estimate	27648	29109	31158	28859	27114

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	9432	10893	12942	10643	8898
Direct Costs Total	9432	10893	12942	10643	8898

Indirect Costs
Housing & Food	4810	4810	4810	4810	4810
Books, Course Materials, Supplies & Equipment	1000	1000	1000	1000	1000
Personal Expenses	3204	3204	3204	3204	3204
Transportation Expenses	1744	1744	1744	1744	1744
Loan Fees	66	66	66	66	66
Indirect Costs Total	10824	10824	10824	10824	10824

Total Annual Cost of Attendance Estimate	20256	21717	23766	21467	19722

* 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.

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.
Students enrolled in select disciplines are subject to additional fees. View details of undergraduate tuition and fees.
Housing rates based on double occupancy in a traditional-style residence hall. Explore housing and food costs.
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.