NSU's tuition & fees has increased from $10,469 (2015) to $11,947 (2025), and the rate of tuition increase is 14.12% over the past 10 years. The graduate school tuition & fees has raised from $14,078 (year 2015) to $11,936 (year 2025).
NSU's tuition increase rate is higher than the South Dakota's average increase rate of -3.24%. Compare to all colleges in United States, it's increase rate is higher than the average increase rate of 10.99%.
Cost of Attendance (COA) Trends
The total cost of attendance (COA), including tuition & fees, books & supplies costs, and living costs, increased by 18.94% from 2015 ($22,656).
For the current academic year 2024-2025, NSU's COA is $26,947, which is increased by 1.89% from last year.
The following table and chart show changes to NSU's COA over the past 10 years.
Tuition & Fees Changes
The tuition & fees have increased 14.12% for the last 10 years , and the 2025 tuition & fees are $10,718. The following table and chart show the tuition & fees changes at Northern State University over last the 10 years.
Books & Supplies Costs Changes
The cost of purchasing books & supplies which are required/recommended for courses $1,200, and it has not changed since 2015.
| Year | Books & Supplies | Change by Year |
|---|
| 2015-16 | $1,200 | - |
|---|
| 2016-17 | $1,200 | |
|---|
| 2017-18 | $1,200 | |
|---|
| 2018-19 | $1,200 | |
|---|
| 2019-20 | $1,200 | |
|---|
| 2020-21 | $1,200 | |
|---|
| 2021-22 | $1,200 | |
|---|
| 2022-23 | $1,200 | |
|---|
| 2023-24 | $1,200 | |
|---|
| 2024-25 | $1,200 | |
|---|
Living Costs Changes
The living costs including room, board, and other living expenses have increased 34.15% when a student lives on-campus facilities and 33.98% when living-off campus from the year 2015 to 2025. The following table shows the changes in living costs at Northern State University.
| Year | Living On Campus | Living Off Campus | Change by Year |
|---|
| 2015-16 | $10,987 | $11,000 | - |
|---|
| 2016-17 | $11,520 | $11,450 | 4.85% |
|---|
| 2017-18 | $11,844 | $11,850 | 2.81% |
|---|
| 2018-19 | $12,129 | $13,050 | 2.41% |
|---|
| 2019-20 | $13,125 | $13,125 | 8.21% |
|---|
| 2020-21 | $13,125 | $13,125 | |
|---|
| 2021-22 | $13,450 | $13,450 | 2.48% |
|---|
| 2022-23 | $13,750 | $13,750 | 2.23% |
|---|
| 2023-24 | $13,300 | $13,300 | -3.27% |
|---|
| 2024-25 | $13,800 | $13,800 | 3.76% |
|---|
Compare Tuition Change to Similar Colleges
The following table compares 2025 tuition and increase rate from last year between Northern State University and similar schools.
| 2025 | 2024 | Increase Rate |
|---|
| Northern State University | $11,947
($8,845) | $11,947
($8,845) | - |
|---|
|
| South Dakota State University | $12,809
($9,299) | $12,809
($9,299) | - |
|---|
|
| University of South Dakota | $12,942
($9,432) | $12,942
($9,432) | - |
|---|
|
| Dakota State University | $12,756
($9,654) | $12,735
($9,633) | 0.16% |
|---|
|
| Black Hills State University | $12,018
($8,916) | $12,018
($8,916) | - |
|---|
|
| South Dakota School of Mines and Technology | $14,900
($10,500) | $14,800
($10,400) | 0.68% |
|---|
|