Make College Affordable
Northern State University offers a first-class education at a low cost making it one of the best-value universities in South Dakota. Our dedicated financial aid team is here to walk you (and your family) through tuition and costs to help you understand the numbers. And if you need financial assistance, Northern offers options such as scholarships, grants, loans and student employment to make your education affordable and attainable.
The Financial Value of Your Northern Education
Is a college degree worth the investment? At Northern State University, it is. College graduates earn $500 more each week than those without a degree - that's $26,000 more a year and $1 million more over a 40-year career. The numbers speak for themselves.
And this kind of college degree is available to you with Northern's low-cost tuition and accessible financial assistance. With your first-class higher education, you'll pay into your future and be able to reap the rewards.
Makenzie (Zomers) Smook graduated from Northern with degrees in finance and marketing. Her job is to take South Dakota's assets – cash, trust funds, retirement system funds – and invest them.
2025-2026 Undergraduate Tuition Costs
These yearly estimates, based on 30 credit hours, shows costs before any scholarships, grants, loans or aid have been applied.
In-State Yearly Estimate*
Tuition/Fees: $9,824
Housing: $6,150**
Food: $4,772**
Total: $20,746
Out-of-state Yearly Estimate
Tuition/Fees: $12,057
Housing: $6,150**
Food: $4,772**
Total: $22,979
Online Yearly Estimate
Tuition/Fees: $10,952
Housing: $6,150**
Food: $4,772**
Total: $21,874
*Includes new freshmen and transfers from Colorado, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, Minnesota, Montana, Nebraska, North Dakota, Wisconsin and Wyoming.
**Housing amount based on average residence hall price. Food amount includes 21 meals per week. Other options are available at various rates.
Tuition Rates per Credit
Undergraduate On-Campus 2025-2026
Costs below do not include all fees. See Fees for discipline-specific fees.
Type
Cost
Resident
$261.20
SD Advantage*
$261.20
Child of Alumni (Resident tuition rate is available to children of NSU alumni)
$261.20
Non-Resident
$367.60
State employee, Certified teacher, ROTC
$130.60
S.D. National Guard eligible for 100 percent tuition waiver over ArmyIgnitED exhausted
Over 65
$143.65
Active Duty Military - Non-Resident
$250.00
Department of Defense Civilian - Resident
$261.20
Department of Defense Civilian - Non-Resident
$367.60
*Resident tuition rate is available to new freshmen and transfers from Colorado, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, Minnesota, Montana, Nebraska, North Dakota, Wisconsin and Wyoming.
Graduate On-Campus 2025-2026
Costs below do not include all fees. See Fees for discipline-specific fees.
Type
Cost
Resident
$342.90
Western Regional Graduate Program States (WRGP)
$342.90
Graduate Assistant - Resident
$181.75
Graduate Assistant - Non-Resident
$216.05
Minnesota Reciprocity (students enrolled prior to Summer 2025)
$585.80
Non-Resident
$640.20
State Employee, Certified Teacher
$171.45
Over 65
$188.60
Active Duty Military - Non-Resident
$640.20
Department of Defense Civilian - Resident
$342.90
Department of Defense Civilian - Non-Resident
$640.20
Online (internet) and Off-Campus 2025-2026
Costs below do not include all fees. See Fees for discipline-specific fees.
Type
Cost
Undergraduate
$365.05
Undergraduate Qualified Veteran
$103.85
Undergraduate Certified Teacher
$234.45
Undergraduate State Employee
$234.45
S.D. National Guard eligible for 100 percent tuition waiver after ArmyIgnitED exhausted
Undergraduate Active-Duty Military
$250.00
Undergraduate Spouse and Dependent of Active Military at EAFB & Int., DOD Civilian
$365.05
Undergraduate Externally Supported (Rising Scholars)
$40.00
Undergraduate Externally Supported (Huron Community Campus)
$72.40
Undergraduate High School Dual Credit ($78.49 of the rate is paid by the S.D. Dept. of Education)
$156.97
Graduate
$484.10
Graduate Assistant
$322.90
Graduate Certified Teacher
$312.65
Graduate State Employee
$312.65
Graduate Active Duty Military
$484.10
Graduate Spouse and Dependent of Active Military at EAFB & Int., DOD Civilian
$484.10
Graduate Externally Supported (Workshops)
$40.00
Graduate Externally Supported (Huron Community Campus)
$72.40
Additional Attendance Costs
FEES
Tuition rates and fees are approved by the South Dakota Board of Regents and may be revised during the year. Click below to learn more about how these fees are used.
HOUSING COSTS
Our upgraded and fully furnished residence halls are comfortable, safe and clean. Learn more about your future home away from home below.
DINING COSTS
NSU offers a variety of dining and healthy food options for you to choose from. Click below to view different meal plan options and what they include.
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2025-2026 Estimated Annual Expenses
Remember to budget for these estimated annual expenses.
Books and Supplies
The average cost of books and supplies is $775 for undergraduate and $550 for graduate students.
Transportation
The average cost of transportation for a student living on campus is $1,550.
Personal Expenses
The average amount of personal expenses is $2,000.
Loan Fees
The average amount of direct loan fees is $62 for undergraduate and $128 for graduate students.