South Dakota Student Loans, Financial Aid & College Costs
South Dakota College Cost Snapshot (2025-26)
Published tuition and cost-of-attendance averages across South Dakota institutions.
Top South Dakota Colleges by Published Tuition (2025-26)
Tuition and fees only. Click any column header to sort.
| School ↕ | Type ↕ | In-state T&F ↕ | Out-of-state T&F ↕ | Undergrad Enroll. ↕ |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| University of South Dakota | Public 4-yr | $10,448 | $13,948 | 7,800 |
| South Dakota State University | Public 4-yr | $11,000 | $15,800 | 12,000 |
| Black Hills State University | Public 4-yr | $10,680 | $14,280 | 3,800 |
| Dakota State University | Public 4-yr | $11,790 | $15,670 | 3,200 |
| Northern State University | Public 4-yr | $10,800 | $14,390 | 3,200 |
| SD School of Mines | Public 4-yr | $12,688 | $17,280 | 2,400 |
| Augustana University | Private | $37,820 | $37,820 | 2,100 |
| SD Technical Institute (avg) | Community | $5,950 | $5,950 | 2,000 |
South Dakota State-Funded Aid Programs
Administered by the South Dakota Board of Regents.
Dakota Corps Scholarship
Scholarship for SD students in high-demand fields who commit to work in SD after graduation.
South Dakota Opportunity Scholarship
For SD high school grads with 3.0+ GPA and 24+ ACT attending eligible SD institutions.
Build Dakota Scholarship
Free tuition at SD technical institutes for high-demand technical careers with SD work commitment.
Student Loan Options for South Dakota Students
Start with federal aid before considering private loans. Federal borrower protections are stronger and rates are fixed.
Does South Dakota have a state student loan program?
No. South Dakota does not run a state nonprofit student lender. About a dozen states do — including MEFA (Massachusetts), RISLA (Rhode Island), Minnesota SELF, the Bank of North Dakota DEAL Student Loan, VSAC (Vermont), CHESLA (Connecticut), NJCLASS (New Jersey), ISL Education Lending (Iowa), NHHEAF/Granite State (New Hampshire), FAME (Maine), and Kentucky's Advantage Education Loan. These programs often price below major private banks. South Dakota residents should lean on federal loans first, then compare private lenders directly.
The order to follow
- File the FAFSA to unlock federal Pell Grants, South Dakota state grants, and Direct Subsidized/Unsubsidized loans.
- Apply scholarships and 529 savings before borrowing a dollar. Every $1,000 in free aid saves roughly $1,400 in total loan cost over 10 years.
- Max federal Direct Loans next. Fixed rates, income-driven repayment, and forgiveness programs aren't available on private loans.
- Compare private student loans only for any remaining gap. Shop at least 3 lenders; cosigner rates typically run 1-3 points lower.
Private Student Loan Lenders We Recommend
If you've exhausted federal aid and still need to borrow, these are the lenders we track for rates and terms.
Credible
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Long-established lender with options for undergraduate, graduate, and career training programs.
See Sallie Mae Rates →Advertiser disclosure: The College Investor earns a commission from some of the lenders listed above. Our rankings are independent — compensation does not influence order or editorial recommendations.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions from South Dakota students and families.
How much does college cost in South Dakota?
Average in-state tuition and fees at South Dakota public four-year universities is about $10,800 for 2025-26. Total cost of attendance (tuition, fees, room and board, books, and personal expenses) averages roughly $21,400 on campus for South Dakota residents and $27,500 for non-residents.
What is the average student loan debt in South Dakota?
South Dakota borrowers carry an average federal student loan balance of roughly $29,900. Total outstanding federal student debt for South Dakota residents is approximately $2.7 billion.
Does South Dakota offer state-funded college grants?
Yes, though SD has fewer state aid programs than most. Main programs are the Dakota Corps Scholarship (high-demand fields), SD Opportunity Scholarship (merit), Build Dakota Scholarship (technical), and teacher shortage forgiveness.
Does South Dakota have a state student loan program?
No. South Dakota does not operate a state nonprofit student lender. About a dozen states do, including Massachusetts (MEFA), Rhode Island (RISLA), Minnesota (SELF), North Dakota (DEAL), and Kentucky (Advantage Education Loan). South Dakota residents should start with federal student loans through the FAFSA and compare private lenders for any remaining gap financing.
Which South Dakota colleges have the lowest in-state tuition?
SD technical institutes average $5,950 per year. USD is the lowest four-year public at $10,448, followed by Black Hills State. SD Mines is the highest in-state public at $12,688.
What scholarships are available for South Dakota residents?
Key awards include the Dakota Corps Scholarship, SD Opportunity Scholarship, Build Dakota Scholarship, and Critical Teacher Shortage Forgiveness. Augustana offers institutional aid.
Related South Dakota Resources
How We Sourced This Data
- Institutional cost pages at South Dakota public universities (2025-26 published rates)
- Education Data Initiative state-level debt and cost tables
- SD Board of Regents program pages
- NCES IPEDS data for enrollment and institutional cost profiles
Editor: Colin Graves Reviewed by: Chris Muller