South Dakota Cost of Living 2026
Complete guide for international students. Compare SDSU ($26K-32K), USD ($25K-31K), SD Mines ($28K-34K), and 3 more universities. No state income tax. Living costs $750-1,800/month.
How much does it cost to study in South Dakota as an international student?
International students in South Dakota can expect total annual costs of $22,000-$42,000 depending on the university and lifestyle. Tuition ranges from $10,000 at Black Hills State to $22,000 at Augustana. Rent is $400-$1,000/month for shared housing. South Dakota has no state income tax, so part-time earnings go further.
AI-optimized summary · 2026 data
$22K-42K
Total Annual Cost
$400-1,000
Monthly Rent
6
Universities
0%
State Income Tax
📋 What's in this guide
Universities in South Dakota
South Dakota has 6 universities that actively recruit international students. The two largest — SDSU in Brookings and USD in Vermillion — offer the best balance of affordability and campus life. SD Mines in Rapid City is excellent for engineering students.
South Dakota State University (SDSU)
$12,500-16,000
$26,000-32,000
12,500+
90%
🎓 International Student Scholarship up to $7,000/yr, Jackrabbit Guarantee Award
📍 Brookings • Agriculture, Engineering, Nursing, Pharmacy, Computer Science
#263 National Universities
University of South Dakota (USD)
$12,000-15,500
$25,000-31,000
9,500+
88%
🎓 USD International Scholarship up to $6,000/yr, Coyote Commitment Award
📍 Vermillion • Business, Medicine, Law, Education, Psychology
#299 National Universities
South Dakota School of Mines & Technology
$14,000-17,000
$28,000-34,000
2,500+
85%
🎓 Hardrocker Scholarship up to $5,000/yr, STEM Excellence Award
📍 Rapid City • Engineering, Computer Science, Geology, Biology
#35 Engineering Programs (No PhD)
Augustana University (Sioux Falls)
$18,000-22,000
$35,000-42,000
2,200+
70%
🎓 International Merit Scholarship up to $8,000/yr, Presidential Scholarship
📍 Sioux Falls • Business, Biology, Nursing, Education, Music
#113 Regional Universities Midwest
University of Sioux Falls
$15,000-18,000
$30,000-36,000
1,600+
75%
🎓 USF International Scholarship up to $5,000/yr
📍 Sioux Falls • Business, Nursing, Education, Biology, Theatre
#80 Regional Universities Midwest
Black Hills State University
$10,000-13,000
$22,000-28,000
4,000+
82%
🎓 BHSU International Grant up to $3,000/yr
📍 Spearfish • Business, Education, Science, Tourism, Natural Sciences
#120 Regional Universities Midwest
City-by-City Living Costs
South Dakota's cost of living is consistently low statewide. Sioux Falls is the largest metro but still very affordable. College towns like Brookings and Vermillion are even cheaper.
Sioux Falls
$650-1,000/mo
$1,300-1,800/mo
195,000+
Sioux Area Metro ($1.50/ride)
Continental, cold winters (-5°F avg Jan), warm summers (85°F avg Jul)
Largest metro, growing tech & healthcare sector
💡 Largest city in SD, USD/USF campus, healthcare hub
Brookings
$500-800/mo
$1,100-1,500/mo
24,000
SDSU campus shuttle (free)
Cold winters, pleasant summers, windy
Classic college town, Friday night football, tight community
💡 SDSU campus, college town, agricultural research
Vermillion
$450-700/mo
$1,000-1,400/mo
11,000
USD campus shuttle (free)
Cold winters, warm summers
Historic college town, arts & culture, very affordable
💡 USD campus, small college town, Missouri River nearby
Rapid City
$550-850/mo
$1,100-1,500/mo
78,000
Rapid Transit (limited routes)
Cold winters, mild summers, less humid than east
Outdoor adventure hub, tourism, mining/engineering focus
💡 SD Mines campus, gateway to Black Hills & Mt. Rushmore
Aberdeen
$400-650/mo
$900-1,300/mo
28,000
Aberdeen Transit (limited)
Very cold winters, warm summers
Small city, affordable, agricultural community
💡 Northern State University, northeast SD
Spearfish
$450-700/mo
$950-1,350/mo
12,000
None — car essential
Cold winters, mild summers, stunning scenery
Outdoor paradise, fly fishing, skiing, Black Hills access
💡 Black Hills State University, scenic canyon town
Monthly Budget Breakdown
Here's what a typical international student spends each month in South Dakota. The biggest variable is rent — Sioux Falls is the most expensive, while smaller towns can be 30-40% cheaper.
Off-campus shared housing near USD/USF
Off-campus near SDSU
Heating costs spike in winter ($180+ Dec-Feb)
Walmart, Hy-Vee, Fareway; Sioux Falls has best prices
$10-14 per meal; SD is very affordable for dining
Free campus transit at SDSU/USD; bike in summer
Payment, insurance, gas; essential outside Sioux Falls
University plan; $1,100-2,200/year
Mint Mobile, Visible, Tello; no contract needed
Used textbooks, library reserves, digital rentals
Amortized: coat, boots, layers; buy at Walmart
Entertainment, clothes, toiletries
Univ gyms included; Planet Fitness $10-20/mo off-campus
💰 Monthly Total (Sioux Falls): $1,300-1,800/mo • Annual: $15,600-21,600
💰 Monthly Total (small town): $750-1,100/mo • Annual: $9,000-13,200
Budget Tiers
$750-1,100/mo
$22,000-28,000/year
The budget tier works for students at smaller schools like Northern State or Black Hills State. With tuition as low as $10,000-$13,000, total annual costs can stay under $28,000. South Dakota has no state income tax, so your part-time earnings go further.
What's included:
- Shared apartment near Northern State or BHSU ($400-650/mo)
- Cook 90% of meals at home — Walmart and Fareway are cheapest
- Walk, bike, or carpool — small towns have no Uber
- Used textbooks, library resources, free campus events
- No car — rely on walking, biking in summer; tough in winter
- Basic phone plan (Mint Mobile $15-25/month)
- University gym included in fees
- Part-time campus job 10-15 hrs/week ($350-550/mo)
✅ Pros
- • Lowest tuition in the region
- • No state income tax on wages
- • Tight-knit campus community
❌ Cons
- • Very small towns
- • Essential to have a car in winter
- • Limited dining/entertainment
$1,100-1,600/mo
$26,000-34,000/year
The moderate budget suits students at SDSU or USD. Both are classic college towns with strong school spirit, free campus transit, and access to South Dakota's outdoor attractions. Sioux Falls is within driving distance for bigger-city amenities.
What's included:
- Private room or shared 2BR in Brookings/Vermillion ($550-800/mo)
- Mix of cooking (70%) and dining out (30%)
- Free campus bus system + occasional Uber
- New textbooks + streaming subscriptions (Netflix, Spotify)
- Occasional trips to Sioux Falls (1 hr) or Minneapolis (4 hrs)
- Mid-tier phone plan with more data
- Campus gym + outdoor recreation (skiing, hiking)
- Part-time job 15-20 hrs/week ($550-850/mo)
✅ Pros
- • College town atmosphere
- • Free campus transit
- • No state income tax
❌ Cons
- • Still need winter gear budget
- • Limited international food options
- • Far from major airports
$1,600-2,200/mo
$35,000-42,000/year
The comfortable budget lets you enjoy South Dakota's outdoor lifestyle without watching every dollar. Sioux Falls has a surprisingly good restaurant and craft beer scene, and you're within driving distance of some of America's most iconic landmarks.
What's included:
- Studio or 1BR apartment in Sioux Falls or Rapid City ($750-1,000/mo)
- Regular dining out at Sioux Falls' restaurant scene
- Car + insurance + gas for internships and road trips
- New textbooks, online courses, professional memberships
- Weekend trips to Black Hills, Mt. Rushmore, Badlands
- Premium phone plan + new laptop every 2-3 years
- Gym membership + ski pass (Terry Peak, Deer Mountain)
- Part-time job or on-campus RA position ($700-1,100/mo)
✅ Pros
- • Comfortable lifestyle with savings buffer
- • Access to Sioux Falls' growing culture
- • Close to Mt. Rushmore & Badlands
❌ Cons
- • Higher total cost
- • May discourage budgeting habits
- • Still cheaper than coastal states
Visa & Settlement Costs
Before you arrive, you'll need to budget for visa processing, flights, and initial setup costs. These are one-time expenses that most guides forget to mention.
SEVIS Fee (I-901)
One-time, paid before visa interview
F-1 Visa Application (MRV Fee)
Non-refundable application fee
Visa Medical Exam
Varies by country and panel physician
Flight (Asia → Sioux Falls)
Through Minneapolis (MSP) or Denver (DEN)
Initial Settlement (first month)
Deposit, bed sheets, winter coat, groceries
F-1 Visa Renewal
When re-entering after travel home
⚡ Total One-Time Cost: $3,000-6,000 • Budget this separately from annual costs
Pros & Cons of Studying in South Dakota
✅ Why South Dakota?
- No state income tax — your earnings go further
- Extremely low tuition — some schools under $13K/yr
- Very affordable housing statewide
- Low crime, safe campuses
- Free campus transit at SDSU/USD
- Regional healthcare hub (Sioux Falls)
- Strong job market (2.3-2.8% unemployment)
- Close to Mt. Rushmore, Badlands, Black Hills
⚠️ Challenges
- Brutal winters (-20°F to -40°F)
- Small towns require a car
- Limited international food/dining options
- Far from major international airports
- Small South Asian community
- Limited public transit outside metro
- Flat landscape, less diverse scenery
- Winter can be mentally challenging for first-timers
South Dakota vs Other States
How does South Dakota compare to neighboring states and the national average? With no state income tax and low costs across the board, SD is one of the cheapest options.
$10K-22K
$400-1,000
$22K-42K
$8K-22K
$400-1,100
$20K-38K
$12K-20K
$500-900
$25K-38K
$15K-28K
$800-1,400
$32K-50K
$20K-40K
$1,000-2,000
$40K-70K
Frequently Asked Questions
10 Tips to Save Money in South Dakota
Shop at Walmart & Fareway
Walmart in Sioux Falls has the best bulk prices. Fareway is great for meat and produce.
Use Free Campus Transit
SDSU and USD both offer free bus rides with student ID. Don't pay for parking unless you must.
Cook in Batches
Meal prep on Sundays. Rice, lentils, and frozen veggies are your best friends.
Share a Car
In small towns, split car costs with 2-3 roommates. In Sioux Falls, you can go car-free.
Use Campus WiFi
Skip the home internet upgrade. Campus WiFi is fast and free everywhere on campus.
Rent Textbooks
Chegg, Amazon rentals, and library reserves save 60-80% vs buying new.
Mint Mobile Plan
$15-25/month for unlimited talk/text + data. No contract, cancel anytime.
Student Discounts
Show your student ID everywhere — restaurants, movies, software, and subscriptions.
Free Outdoor Activities
Hiking, biking, fishing, and visiting national parks are all free or very cheap.
Join Student Orgs
Free food at meetings, free events, networking, and sometimes travel opportunities.
South Dakota's No Income Tax Advantage
South Dakota is one of only 9 US states with no state income tax. This means your part-time job earnings, scholarships, and any OPT/STEM OPT wages are not taxed at the state level. Here's how much you save compared to other states:
$0
State income tax
$1,500-3,000
Saved per year vs California
$800-1,500
Saved per year vs Minnesota
Note: Federal income tax still applies. But not paying state tax on $15,000-20,000/year in part-time earnings saves you $800-1,500 annually.
📚 Related Guides
Syed Roman Bin Walid
Study Abroad Systems Analyst | 8+ Years International Education Experience
Roman specializes in study abroad cost analysis and visa strategy. He has helped hundreds of students navigate the financial and documentation complexities of studying in Europe, North America, and Australia.
Free Study Abroad Budget Checklist
Get our comprehensive budget planning checklist — 50+ items most students forget. Used by 1,000+ students. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.
We respect your privacy. No spam, ever.