Northern State University

On average, college tuition rises about 3% year.

Remember, the advertized cost of tuition doesn't always give you enough information to determine the actual cost of attending any given college. Many students find the actual cost of college is much less than the sticker price after grants, scholarships, and tuition discounts are applied. Plus, student loans can make theactual cost of attending college feel more doable until you're done with college.

Northern State University meets 72.7% of the demonstrated financial need for undergraduates. First-year students that attend Northern State University full-time are awarded $12,231 a year in financial aid, on average.

Graduates in the class of 2023 had an average of $26,365 in student loans per borrower.

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

**Northern State University is a public, state institution, **

Public colleges and universities receive funding from the state government. Public insitutions often offer a lower cost of attendance for those who qualify as South Dakota residents.

Choosing a college where you qualify for in-state tuition can cut the cost of college tuition. Don't forget to check your state's requirements for in-state tuition. Every state has its own rules about what makes someone eligible for in-state tuition. Most states require students to have resided in the state for a certain period of time before qualifying. There may be other criteria as well, depending on the state you and your parents currently live in.

Explore other South Dakota colleges

Northern State University International Student Tuition

Tuition at Northern State University is the same for all students.

Students from outside of the U.S. usually do not qualify for for federal financial aid, but should research private or school-specific grants, scholarships, and other funding opportunities.

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

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Northern State University Living Expenses, Fees, and More

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Tuition is not the only cost of attending college; there are other costs associated with college, like room and board, facility fees, and books and supplies. Let's take a look at what impacts these costs, and what to expect at Northern State University.

Room and Board Costs at Northern State University

Meal-plan costs may vary depending on the number of meals you intend to eat on-campus

How Much Do Books Cost at Northern State University?

The cost of books often surprises first-year college students. The real cost of books depends on the courses you take and the textbooks, computer programs, or other materials are required.. To save money, many students choose to use books from the library or buy books from students who have already taken the course.

Annual Fees

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

There may be additional fees associated with participating in special activities, like Greek Life, or participating in sports or other extracurriculars. Many schools offer resources for students with demonstrated need to find ways to lower or eliminate these costs.

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

The total cost of transportation in college can really vary. Will you take a subway, car or an airplane to get to school? Will you need to pay to park on-campus? Is the campus walkable? Do you own a car, or will you need to use busses, subways, or other modes of transportation? All of these factors can make a big difference in your transportation budget. Keeping in mind, first-year students are allowed to park a car on campus.

The location of a college or university can impact your transportation budget. Small, rural schools may be easier to get around, but the cost of getting to campus may be higher. On the other hand getting around in an urban area can be costly, but there may be more trains, busses and affordable flights to actually get to school. The Northern State University campus is located in a town in South Dakota.

Other Costs

When estimating your budget for college, don’t forget to factor in the cost of things like going out to eat or see shows, furnishing your living space, and things like haircuts, clothes and, yes, even toilet paper and shampoo.

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The Full Cost of Attending Northern 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 Northern State University.

How Much Does Northern State University Cost?

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

2023 Total Tuition and Expenses

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.

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Northern State University Financial Aid

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In 2023, 625 of the 2,851 undergrads enrolled received financial aid. Northern State University meets 72.7% of the demonstrated financial need for undergraduates.

The average financial aid package for a full-time, first-year student is around $12,231 a year. Around 70% of Northern State University undergrads take out student loans to cover any remaining costs. Northern State University graduates who have student loans graduate with an average of $26,365 of student loan debt.

The average debt for each loan type varies.

Average Debt By Loan Type
Federal Loans	$22,979
Private Loans	$13,899

Most Common Loans for Northern State University Students
Federal Loans	69%
Private loans	19%

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 Northern State University financial aid, keep reading, or visit their financial aid website.

Scholarships at Northern 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, Northern State University awarded 573 need-based scholarships to students, giving away total of $3.9 million to help students with financial need cover the cost of school. An additional $1.19 million in merit-based scholarship money was awarded to students without demonstrated financial need.

Net Cost of Northern State University

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 Northern 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 Northern State University was $12,231 in 2023. By substracting the average financial aid package from the estimated costs, we get a number that may make the cost of Northern State University seem more manageable.

What will attending Northern 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 Northern State University's net cost calculator on their website.

Northern State University Tuition Payment Plans

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

Northern State University does not have guaranteed tuition.

Northern 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 Northern State University Offer Tuition Waivers?

Schools sometimes offer tuition waivers to certain groups, to reduce the total cost of attendance. Some colleges offer tuition waivers for faculty, staff, and their families , underrepresented students, or military students. Even with a tuition waiver, other expenses and fees are the responsibility of the student.

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

Northern 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.

Northern State University's endowment was valued at $37.6 million in 2023, compared to a national average of $905 million. The school spends $9,854 for each full-time student enrolled.

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Learn More About Northern State University

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To learn more about Northern State University, choose from the options below:

Overview

Student Life

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