Data shows that students paid $12,445 on average to attend higher education courses at the time, $76 more than the previous school year.
Among the 22 institutions providing full disclosure in the state, Augustana University stood out with the highest tuition fees, reaching an average of $37,342. Dakota Wesleyan University followed with an average of $31,890 per year. Oglala Lakota College students were offered the lowest annual tuition fees at $2,684.
Currently there are 25 higher education institutions in South Dakota.
At the time, at least $52.8 million in grants or scholarships were awarded to full-time undergraduates who started college in South Dakota. Additionally, federal student loans reached more than $36.4 million.
Undergraduate education costs have seen a significant increase over the past few decades. Data shows a 169% rise in the average total cost, including tuition, fees, room, and board, between 1980 and 2020.
According to a 2023 College Board report, in-state students at public universities paid an average of $11,260, while out-of-state students paid $29,150 in the 2023-24 academic year.
Meanwhile, student loan debt has steadily increased over the last 30 years, reaching $1.75 trillion in 2024, averaging a total of $28,950 per borrower. Federal loans make up 92% of the debt, with over half of students at both public and private four-year colleges graduating with student loans.
Of the 25 institutions in South Dakota, three did not provide detailed data on tuition fees, including Avera McKennan Hospital School of Radiologic Technology, Kairos University, and Sanford Medical Center.
Available data sometimes exceeds 100% due to rounding and administrative calculations.
| Institution | Average Tuition Fees | Total Enrollment |
|---|---|---|
| Augustana University | $37,342 | 1,831 |
| Dakota Wesleyan University | $31,890 | 723 |
| Mount Marty University | $31,500 | 1,080 |
| University of Sioux Falls | $20,290 | 1,325 |
| National American University-Rapid City | $16,065 | 929 |
| Paul Mitchell the School-Rapid City | $15,750 | 76 |
| The Salon Professional Academy | $14,985 | 62 |
| South Dakota School of Mines and Technology | $13,208 | 2,163 |
| Stewart School | $13,200 | 125 |
| South Dakota State University | $11,018 | 9,917 |
| University of South Dakota | $10,988 | 7,132 |
| Dakota State University | $10,880 | 2,757 |
| Black Hills State University | $10,315 | 3,261 |
| Northern State University | $9,785 | 2,851 |
| California Intercontinental University | $9,054 | 155 |
| Western Dakota Technical College | $8,286 | 1,267 |
| Southeast Technical College | $7,650 | 2,453 |
| Mitchell Technical College | $7,524 | 1,203 |
| Lake Area Technical College | $6,718 | 2,238 |
| Sinte Gleska University | $4,714 | 482 |
| Sisseton Wahpeton College | $4,330 | 187 |
| Oglala Lakota College | $2,684 | 1,147 |
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