Dakota State University

In 2022, tuition for full-time Dakota State University students was $7,616 a year for in-state students and $10,718 a year for out-of-state students.

On average, college tuition goes up about 3% every year.

If this makes attending the college of your dreams feel scary, remember, the "sticker price" of tuition does not always mean much if you plan to use financial aid to help pay for college. Many students owe way less than the total tuition after grants, scholarships, and tuition discounts are applied. Plus, student loans can make the amount you do have to pay out of pocket more manageable until you've finishing school and found a job.

International students can expect to pay 10,718 per year for tuition at Dakota State University.

Dakota State University meets 56% of the demonstrated financial need for undergraduates. The average financial aid package for a full-time, first-year student at Dakota State University is around $9,548 a year.

Students in the class of 2023 who had taken out student loans graduated with an average of $22,974 of debt.

Does Dakota State University Offer In-State and Out-of-State Tuition?

Dakota State University is a public, state institution, so it offers a reduced tuition rate of $7,616 for students who qualify as state residents and attend full-time. For students who are not considered South Dakota-residents, out-of-state tuition is $10,718 a year.

Public colleges and universities receive funding from the state government. These institutions offer reduced tuition for students who are residents of that state.

Choosing a college where you qualify for in-state residency can cut the cost of college tuition. Take the time to verify your state's guidelines for how to qualify for in-state tuition. Every state has its own rules about what makes someone eligible for in-state tuition. The most common requirement is that students must have lived in the state for a full year before starting school. There may be additional requirements as well, depending on where you live.

Explore other South Dakota colleges

Is Dakota State University's Tuition Different for International Students?

Dakota State University has the same tuition for international students as for those from out of state.

International students at Dakota State University usually pay around $10,718 per year, before any scholarships, grants or other financial aid.

International students are not eligible for loans or grants from the U.S. government, but may qualify for private or Dakota State University-specific grants, scholarships, and other funding opportunities. International students with need may qualify for the following types of financial support at Dakota State University:

•Athletic Awards •Dakota State University-specific scholarships

International students without financial need may be eligible for merit-based institutional scholarships and athletic awards.

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Dakota State University Housing Expenses, Fees, and More

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Tuition is not the only cost of attending college; room and board, books, transportation and fees are also costs it consider when planning for college. Let's take a look at what impacts these costs, and what to expect at Dakota State University.

House and Food Costs at Dakota State University

Housing and campus dining at Dakota State University is $7,464 a year. This covers the cost of living in dorms or other on-campus housing, and a meal plan that enables you to eat all or some of your meals the school dining facilities. Students who do not live on-campus but still want to use the dining facilities can opt-in for a meal plan. The cost of a mean plan, or board-only, is $5,139.

Meal-plan costs may vary depending on how many meals are included in the plan you choose.

Cost of Books at Dakota State University

First-year students are sometimes surprised by how much books and supplies cost–and not in a good way. The actual cost of books and supplies depends on the courses you take and the materials required. To save money, many students choose to use books from the library or buy books from students who have already taken the course.

Yearly Fees

Most schools also have fees to offsets cost associated with maintaining facilties, like the computer labs and libraries, athletic facilities, and more.

There may be optional fees associated with participating in special activities, like Greek Life, or participating in sports or other extracurriculars. Most colleges offer resources so that those who may struggle to participate because of cost can get help covering these costs.

Planes, Trains, and Automobiles: Transportation costs at Dakota State University

The total cost of transportation in college can really vary. Will you drive, fly, or take public transportation to school? Will you need to pay to park on-campus? Is the campus walkable? Do you plan to bring a car or are you planning to use busses, subways, or other modes of transportation? All of these questions can drastically impact your estimated cost of transportation. Keeping in mind, first-year students are allowed to park a car on campus.

A school's location can also have a big effect on the amount you'll have to spend just to get around. Small, rural schools may be easier to get around, but the cost of getting to campus may be higher. On the flip side, getting around in an urban area may be costly, but cities may offer more buses, trains and low-cost flight options to actually get to school. Dakota State Universityis located in a rural area in South Dakota, near Sioux Falls.

Other Costs

When creating a budget for college, don’t forget to factor in personal expenses, like movies, takeouts, furniture or appliances for your dorm or housing, and essentials like laundry detergent, toothpaste and toilet paper.

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Total Tuition and Expenses at Dakota State University

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Now, let’s go over all of the costs we've covered, to get a better estimate of what is really costs to go to Dakota State University.

How Much Does Dakota State University Cost?

What will the cost of attending Dakota State University be? Here is a breakdown of tuition and expenses.

2023 Total Tuition and Expenses
In-state Tuition	$7,616
Out-of-State Tuition	$10,718
Room and Board	$7,464
Board Only	$2,694

The total estimated cost will vary depending on whether you are going to live on-campus or off-campus.

Tuition and fees may vary depending on program, course level, location, and more.

Dakota State University’s tuition and fees change based on: •Campus location for full-time and part-time students

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Financial Aid at Dakota State University

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In 2023, 691 of the 2,805 undergrads enrolled received financial aid. Dakota State University meets 56% of the demonstrated financial need for undergraduates.

The average financial aid package for a full-time, first-year student is around $9,548 a year. Around 69% of Dakota State University undergrads take out student loans to cover any remaining costs. Dakota State University graduates who have student loans graduate with an average of $22,974 of student loan debt.

The average debt for each loan type varies.

Average Debt By Loan Type
Federal Loans	$19,492
Private Loans	$19,109

Most Common Loans for Dakota State University Students
Federal Loans	69%
Private loans	13%

Most students take out institutional or government loans, because they tend to have lower interest rates and more flexible repayment options than private loans. Loans from the federal government can be subsidized or unsubsidized. Subsidized loans do not accrue interest during school, while unsubsidized loans begin accruing interest at the time the loan is issued. If students do no qualify for enough federal loans to cover the cost of tuition, some take out private loans. Parents can also take out ParentPLUS loans, which are government loans for parents who are helping their children pay for college.

The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) helps colleges determine how much financial need students and their familes have, so they can offer a financial aid package that meets, or come close to meeting, their need. For more information on Dakota State University financial aid, keep reading, or visit their financial aid website.

Scholarships at Dakota State University

Some students may receive grants and scholarships to help pay for college. Unlike loans, scholarships and grants do not have to be paid back.

In 2023, Dakota State University awarded 365 need-based scholarships to students, giving away total of $5.5 million to help students with financial need cover the cost of school. An additional $1.3 million in merit-based scholarship money was awarded to students without demonstrated financial need.

Dakota State University Net Cost

The net price of college is the actual cost of attending a school for one year. Net cost is calculated by subtracting any scholarships, grants or other aid that does not need to be paid back from the total cost. Student loans are not part of the calculation, because they need to be repaid.

Now that we have a sense of the total estimated costs for Dakota State University students, we can subtract the average financial aid package to find the estimated net cost. Net cost can vary depending on a students’ need and the financial aid award received.

When considering whether a school fits your budget, it is important to consider the estimated net cost, not just the sticker price of tuition. Often, schools with the highest tuition also offer the most generous aid packages, so estimate your net cost before eliminating a school because it does fit your budget.

The average amount of financial aid received by a full-time first year student with demonstrated need at Dakota State University was $9,548 in 2023. By substracting the average financial aid package from the estimated costs, we get a number that may make the cost of Dakota State University seem more manageable.

Estimated Net Cost for Full-Time Students
In-State, On-Campus	$-4,016
Net In-state, Off-campus	$3,336
Out-of-State, On-Campus	$8,634

Note: a negative number can indicate that a refund will be given to use toward other expenses such as housing, fees, and books. In such cases, be sure to reach out to the school directly for any clarification or questions.

What will attending Dakota State University really cost you? The answer depends on several factors.

As of 2011, colleges are required to have a net price calculator on their website to help prospective students and their families make more informed decisions about the actual cost of attending that school, based on their financial situation. You can find the Dakota State University's net cost calculator on their website.

Dakota State University Tuition Payment Plans

Some students choose to use payment plans to make the cost of tuition fit more comfortably in their budget.

Dakota State University does not have guaranteed tuition.

Dakota State University offers an Installment Payment Plan, which allows students to pay tuition in a series of smaller chunks instead of one lump sum.

Does Dakota State University Offer Tuition Waivers?

Schools sometimes offer tuition waivers to certain groups, to offset the cost of attending. Some colleges offer tuition waivers for employees and their family members, underrepresented students, or military students. Even if you qualify for a waiver, other expenses and fees are the responsibility of the student.

Dakota State University has some full or partial tuition waivers available for: - Employees or Children of Employees

Check the financial aid website for more information on payment plans and tuition waivers.

Dakota State University's Endowment

An endowment is the total value of a school's investments, donations, and assets. Endowment is not necessarily an indicator of the quality of a school, but it can give you a sense of how much money a college can afford to invest in expanding programs, improving facilities, and supporting students.

Dakota State University's endowment was valued at $17.4 million in 2023, compared to a national average of $905 million. For each full-time student, Dakota State University spends about $7,248 a year.

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Learn More About Dakota State University

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Click below to find out more about the admissions requirements and deadlines, student life, academics, majors and more.

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