University of South Dakota's published cost of attendance is $24,422. Need-based aid reshapes that figure across income levels: low-income families pay approximately $14,921, middle-income families pay around $18,540, and higher-income families pay approximately $22,193.
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Net prices are averages and may vary. Based on federal data for first-time, full-time students receiving aid.
| Cost Category | Amount |
|---|---|
| Total Cost of Attendance (Sticker Price) | $24,422 |
| Tuition and Fees | $12,942 |
| Room and Board | $10,356 |
| Books and Supplies | $1,000 |
| Average Financial Aid (Grants and Scholarships) | -$4,564 |
| Average Net Price (What Families Pay) | $19,858 |
| Family Income | Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0–30k | $14,921 |
| $30–48k | $15,942 |
| $48–75k | $18,540 |
| $75–110k | $21,202 |
| $110k+ | $22,193 |
University of South Dakota's published cost of attendance is $24,422. Need-based aid reshapes that figure across income levels: low-income families pay approximately $14,921, middle-income families pay around $18,540, and higher-income families pay approximately $22,193. Azimuth ranks University of South Dakota #617 for post-graduation affordability among nonprofit four-year institutions. Net prices by income band are medians within those bands; individual aid packages vary, so some families in each band pay more and some less than the figures shown. The university's financial aid structure combines federal (Pell Grants, Direct Loans), state, and institutional aid programs to close the gap between sticker price and what families actually pay. Most students qualify for some form of need-based aid, and the relatively modest sticker price at a public regional university means that net prices remain manageable across income levels compared with many private institutions. Median federal student loan debt at graduation is $23,592, and families using Parent PLUS borrow a median of $15,000; private or institutional loans may add further borrowing that falls outside these federal-only figures — see the for how household context shapes PLUS decisions. For a graduate at the institution's median four-year earnings of $62,334, median federal debt of $23,592 projects to a monthly payment of about $267 under standard ten-year repayment. For personalized projections across earnings scenarios — including Parent PLUS planning — use .
How much students borrow and whether debt is manageable given outcomes.
Debt-to-earnings data not available.
How cost compares to graduate earnings and value added.
Graduates of University of South Dakota earn median 4-year earnings of $62,334, placing University of South Dakota in the 57.4 percentile for median earnings four years after enrollment among nonprofit four-year institutions. Graduates earn about $7,127 more than similar students at comparable institutions, placing University of South Dakota in the 81.0 percentile for earnings beyond expectations among nonprofit four-year institutions. Azimuth ranks University of South Dakota #451 for return on investment among nonprofit four-year institutions. The earnings pattern reflects University of South Dakota's concentration in health-related fields. Nursing is the largest program with 163 graduates earning median 4-year earnings of $73,025, at 0.8x the national benchmark for the field. The Teacher Education program graduates 100 students earning $46,034, and Health Services/Allied Health/Health Sciences, General program graduates 78 students earning $61,518. Business Administration and Biology, General round out the top five, with 75 and 69 graduates respectively earning $64,890 and $58,099. This program mix — anchored in health professions and related support services — aligns with strong regional labor-market demand and contributes to University of South Dakota's solid long-term financial outcomes for graduates.
