Understanding Northern University Tuition Fees: A Comprehensive Guide

Paying for college is a significant undertaking, and understanding the costs involved is crucial for students and their families. Northern State University (NSU) and other northern universities offer various programs and resources to make higher education accessible. This article breaks down the tuition fees, additional costs, and financial aid options available at these institutions.

Tuition and Fees at Northern State University (NSU)

NSU prides itself on offering a first-class education at a low cost, positioning itself as one of the best-value universities in South Dakota. The dedicated financial aid team is available to guide students and their families through tuition and costs to help them understand the numbers. Submitting the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is essential to receive the best financial aid package from NSU.

Tuition Rates for 2025-2026

Tuition rates and fees are approved by the South Dakota Board of Regents and may be revised during the year. For the academic year 2025-2026, the costs are structured as follows:

Undergraduate On-Campus

Resident: $261.20 per credit.
SD Advantage: $261.20 per credit (for new freshmen and transfers from Colorado, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, Minnesota, Montana, Nebraska, North Dakota, Wisconsin, and Wyoming).
Child of Alumni: $261.20 per credit (resident tuition rate available to children of NSU alumni).
Non-Resident: $367.60 per credit.
State Employee, Certified Teacher, ROTC: $130.60 per credit.
S.D. National Guard: $0.00 per credit (eligible for 100 percent tuition waiver over ArmyIgnitED exhausted).
Over 65: $143.65 per credit.
Active Duty Military - Non-Resident: $250.00 per credit.
Department of Defense Civilian - Resident: $261.20 per credit.
Department of Defense Civilian - Non-Resident: $367.60 per credit.

Graduate On-Campus

Resident: $342.90 per credit.
Western Regional Graduate Program States (WRGP): $342.90 per credit.
SDBOR Alumni: $342.90 per credit (resident tuition rate offered to graduate-level students if the student is from a South Dakota Advantage state and received an undergraduate degree from an SDBOR institution).
Graduate Assistant - Resident: $181.75 per credit.
Graduate Assistant - Non-Resident: $216.05 per credit.
Minnesota Reciprocity (students enrolled prior to Summer 2025): $585.80 per credit.
Non-Resident: $640.20 per credit.
State Employee, Certified Teacher: $171.45 per credit.
Over 65: $188.60 per credit.
Active Duty Military - Non-Resident: $640.20 per credit.
Department of Defense Civilian - Resident: $342.90 per credit.
Department of Defense Civilian - Non-Resident: $640.20 per credit.

Online (Internet) and Off-Campus

Undergraduate: $365.05 per credit.
Undergraduate Qualified Veteran: $103.85 per credit.
Undergraduate Certified Teacher: $234.45 per credit.
Undergraduate State Employee: $234.45 per credit.
S.D. National Guard: $0.00 per credit (eligible for 100 percent tuition waiver after ArmyIgnitED exhausted).
Undergraduate Active-Duty Military: $250.00 per credit.
Undergraduate Spouse and Dependent of Active Military at EAFB & Int., DOD Civilian: $365.05 per credit.
Undergraduate Externally Supported (Rising Scholars): $40.00 per credit.
Undergraduate Externally Supported (Huron Community Campus):
- Tuition: $40.00 per credit.
- Delivery Fee: $32.40 per credit.
Undergraduate High School Dual Credit: (\$78.49 of the rate is paid by the S.D. Dept).

Additional Fees

Besides tuition, students should be aware of several other fees that can impact the overall cost of attendance:

General Activity Fee: $41.95 per credit hour for all classes taught on campus. This mandatory fee supports student functions related to co-curricular activities and other student life services, such as student organizations, cultural events, homecoming, student government, yearbooks, student newspapers, student activities, administration and operational expenses for student unions, athletics, and intramurals.
Exchange Program Fee: $119.00 per credit hour for all classes taught on campus for students enrolled in the foreign exchange program.
Application Fees:
- Undergraduate: $21.00 (nonrefundable).
- Graduate: $36.00 (nonrefundable). The application for admission must be accompanied by this fee.
International Student Fee: $200.00 per semester. This fee covers expenses associated with correspondence, reviewing, processing, and updating the necessary information and paperwork for international students.
International Study Abroad Fee: $175.00. This one-time fee per program, each semester, applies to all participants (students and non-students) and helps cover the costs of running study abroad programs, domestic and international faculty-led trips, and exchange programs with partner schools.
Credit by Exam: $150.00 per course.
Transcript Fee: $10.00.
Testing Fees: $20.00 for ACCUPLACER, Technology Re-Test (per test).
Special Discipline Fees: These fees are used to purchase instructional equipment and cover other operating costs for the benefit of students enrolled in the discipline. Fees are charged per credit hour and vary by discipline:
- Business:
  - Undergraduate: $30.90
  - Graduate: $55.50
- Biology/Chemistry: $22.25
- Physics: $21.60
- Computer Science: $50.10
- Math/Statistics/Fine Arts: $16.70
- E-Learning: $21.60
- Exercise Science: $21.70
- Counseling: $26.85
- Allied Health: $108.70
Professional Education Majors Fee:
- Sophomore/Junior Field Experience: $179.00 per semester.
- Senior Field Experience: $358.00 per semester.
- Master's Level Internship: $179.00 (one-time).
Automobile Registration: $91.00 per year.
Unrestricted Permit: $150.00.
- Spring semester only: $45.50.
Teacher Placement: $20.00 each credential re-activation.
Nursing Program Fees: Throughout the B.S.N. program, additional expenses beyond tuition may incur, including required academic resources and compliance-related items.
Lab and Studio Course Fee: Beginning Fall 2025, a fee of $100 will be charged for each lab and studio course to cover specialized staffing, equipment, materials, and supplies.

Housing and Meal Plans

Living on campus offers convenience, community, and support. Housing costs vary by building and room type. NSU offers upgraded and fully furnished residence halls that are comfortable, safe, and clean. A variety of dining and healthy food options are available.

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Payment Information

NSU requires full payment (tuition/fees/room/board) at the start of each semester, the day after the census date.

Cost of Attendance (COA)

The Office of Student Financial Assistance is required to establish an annual Cost of Attendance (COA). The COA is reflective of the student budget, which includes tuition, room and board, books, transportation, and miscellaneous expenses. Student budgets also differentiate based on undergraduate, graduate, and law programs of study.

Northern Michigan University (NMU) Cost of Attendance

Undergraduate On-Campus (Michigan Residents)

Expense	Lower-Division (1-55 credit hours)	Upper-Division (56+ credit hours)
Tuition & Fees (12-16 cr hrs)	$14,702	$15,398
Living Expense - Food & Housing	$13,810	$13,810
Books, Course Mat'ls, Supplies & Equip	$530	$530
Transportation	$528	$528
Other Educational costs	$2,086	$2,086
TOTAL	$31,770	$32,466

Undergraduate On-Campus (Non-Michigan Residents)

Expense	Lower-Division (1-55 credit hours)	Upper-Division (56+ credit hours)
Tuition & Fees (12-16 cr hrs)	$20,198	$21,146
Living Expense - Food & Housing	$13,810	$13,810
Books, Course Mat'ls, Supplies & Equip	$530	$530
Transportation	$528	$528
Other Educational costs	$2,086	$2,086
TOTAL	$37,266	$38,214

Graduate Students

Expense	Michigan Residents	Non-Michigan Residents
Tuition & Fees (6 cr hrs)	$8,970	$11,562
Living Expense - Food & Housing	$13,560	$13,560
Books, Course Mat'ls, Supplies & Equip	$560	$560
Transportation	$444	$444
Other Educational costs	$2,086	$2,086
TOTAL	$25,734	$28,326

Living Expense (food and housing) calculations for on-campus students without dependents: Food will be calculated using the Gold Constant meal plan, while Housing will be based on the greater value of the average or median room rates for Quad II and Woods double occupancy room
Living Expense (food and housing) calculations for on-campus students with dependents: Food will be calculated using the Gold Constant meal plan, while Housing will be based on the greater value of the average or median room rates for the 2 bedrooms, furnished apartments in Lincoln Avenue Townhouses and Norwood/Center Apartments.
Off-campus Housing will be based on periodic surveys of rent/mortgage payments. Food will be calculated based on the on-campus Gold Constant meal plan, meals only.

Ohio Northern University (ONU) Cost of Attendance

The estimated 2025-26 cost of attendance includes direct costs billed by ONU and indirect costs that students may incur. Direct costs include tuition, fees, housing, and meal plans. Indirect costs vary from student to student.

Financial Aid and Scholarships

FAFSA and Merit-Based Scholarships

The FAFSA opens doors to grants, loans, and work-study opportunities. Students are automatically considered for many merit-based scholarships when they apply to NSU.

Additional Financial Aid Resources

NKU Undergraduate Net Price Calculator: A guide to help families plan for educational costs at NKU. An official financial aid package is provided after completing the FAFSA and being admitted to NKU.
Increase to Cost of Attendance Form: At NMU, if you have any additional education-related costs, you can submit this form with related documentation for review by the Financial Aid Office. Not all adjustments result in an increase in financial aid eligibility. Examples include:
- Study Abroad: Student will work with the International Office to develop a budget that the student submits to the Financial Aid Office.
- Book Costs in Excess of Budget: Student needs to provide book purchase receipts and syllabus to match up.
- Daycare/dependent care Expenses: Submit a letter from licensed daycare provider reflecting the costs for the semester (dollar amount per hour multiplied by number of hours per week multiplied by number of weeks per semester), signed and dated by the provider along with license number. The provider needs to submit a copy of the license.
- Disability-related expenses will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis.
- Other equipment, such as tools: Submit a letter/memo from the department indicating that the student in question is required to purchase the items as part of class requirements. The letter needs to indicate the standard cost of items.
- Commuter Living on Campus: Will originally be awarded as a commuter but upon request will be recalculated as living in campus housing.
- Tuition Changes that Exceed the Above Budgeted Rates: Examples include undergraduate students exceeding 16 credit hours or graduate students exceeding 6 credit hours.

Tuition Models and Special Programs

NKU's 3 States, 1 Rate: In Fall 2025, NKU launched its 3 States, 1 Rate tuition model for new undergraduate students from Kentucky, Ohio, and Indiana.
Northeastern University amended tuition rate: Servicemembers and their spouses are eligible to receive an amended tuition rate of $259 per semester hour for our Bachelor Completion Programs through the College of Professional Studies.

The Value of a College Degree

A college degree is a worthwhile investment. College graduates earn significantly more than those without a degree. At Northern State University, a college degree is accessible with its low-cost tuition and accessible financial assistance.

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