Tuition is on the rise

The cost of an education at some South Dakota schools will be going up next year.

The Board of Regents approved a 2.9% system-wide increase for five of its university’s undergraduate tuition along with a $1 per credit hour increase in the general activity fee at its most recent meeting last week.

According to data from the Board, the total undergraduate cost annually for South Dakota State University students will increase by 2.6%, or $443, bringing the average to $17,773.50.

Newly elected Students’ Association president, Sophie Spier says the increase was mild compared to what many had in mind.

“Obviously, nobody wants to increase tuition.” Spier said, “However, a lot of not only higher education stakeholders but also state legislators were expecting a double-digit increase or 8-9%, to catch up with our regions in the area.”

While the increase was expected by some involved, it has taken some students by surprise.

“It makes me feel really angry and upset,” said freshman exercise science and pre chiropractic major Faith Caldron, “I worked really hard throughout high school to be able to pay my tuition, and this semester and last semester, I was able, with my financial aid and scholarships, to pay my tuition. But next year, I am already going to have to take out more private loans.”

This is the second-lowest percent increase across the system, behind only USD, which will increase by 2.5% next year. The highest will be the 4.5% increase for the South Dakota School of Mines & Technology.

Freshman journalism and agricultural communications major Jacob Schutter says he is not as worried about the increase.

“I looked at other states, comparable, I would say that we are pretty equal to other states, and we’re still one of the cheapest schools,” Schutter said.

Inflation and budget decisions from the state Legislature contributed to the increase, something that will continue for the next few years, Regents Executive Director Nathan Lukkes said.

Board President Tim Rave said in a press release that the increase shows their commitment to keeping costs for South Dakota’s public universities as low as possible.

“This adjustment is necessary to address rising operational costs and inflationary pressures,” Rave said, “but we remain steadfast in our mission to provide accessible, high-value education for our students,” Rave said. 

The increase comes after a five-year tuition freeze across the state funded by the Legislature. In that time, South Dakota has managed to stay near the bottom in tuition and fees compared to other states in the region, according to data from the Board of Regents.

While tuition has stayed steady, the funds provided by the Legislature did not cover fee freezes, which the Regents decided to implement anyway, or the Legislature’s mandated increases in employee salaries, according to Regents Vice President of Finance and Administration Heather Forney.

“In an era where our neighboring states are increasing tuition by double digits, we’ve really held the line,” Forney said.

The new rates will be in effect from the 2025 summer term to the 2026 spring term for Black Hills State University, Dakota State University, Northern State University, South Dakota State University and the University of South Dakota.