The South Dakota – Minnesota Tuition Reciprocity Agreement will end at the conclusion of the 2023-2024 academic year.  South Dakota residents will no longer be able to apply for Minnesota Reciprocity benefits at Minnesota schools beginning with the 2024-2025 year.  More information on this decision can be found here, SD Advantage Expansion.

The South Dakota Board of Regents office has provided this statement and FAQ regarding the reciprocity program:

The reciprocity agreement between South Dakota and Minnesota is not being renewed for the academic year 2024 – 2025 and will begin winding down for students currently enrolled under the agreement.  For students currently enrolled under the existing reciprocity agreement, the process for setting reciprocal rates will remain in effect as these students work towards completion of their degree(s).  New Minnesota students enrolling at one of South Dakota’s public universities starting in Fall 2024 will receive the South Dakota Advantage tuition rate, which is equivalent to in-state tuition in South Dakota and is a lower tuition rate than Minnesota students would have received under the former Minnesota reciprocity agreement.  New South Dakota students looking to enroll at an institution in Minnesota starting in Fall 2024 will be charged the rate set by Minnesota institutions and their higher education system for South Dakota students. South Dakota has no part in setting rates for South Dakota students attending Minnesota institutions.

Was the South Dakota/Minnesota reciprocity agreement renewed?

• The reciprocity agreement between South Dakota and Minnesota was not renewed for the academic year 2024 – 2025. Our state has excellent higher education institutions and opportunities, and our goal as the public university system is to grow South Dakota’s workforce.

When did the reciprocity agreement end?

• The South Dakota Board of Regents announced the end of the agreement in December 2023, and Minnesota was notified in writing in January 2024.

What does this mean for South Dakota students wanting to attend school in Minnesota?

• New South Dakota students looking to enroll at an institution in Minnesota starting in Fall 2024 will be charged the rate set by Minnesota. South Dakota has no part in setting rates for South Dakota students attending Minnesota institutions.

Are tuition rates going to be more than the reciprocity agreement rates going forward?

• South Dakota students attending a Minnesota university will need to inquire with that university, as South Dakota has no part in setting rates for Minnesota institutions. For Minnesota students attending a South Dakota public university, the rate will now be the same as our South Dakota resident rate, a cost-savings over the previous reciprocity agreement.

Why does South Dakota charge Minnesota students in-state rates while South Dakota students do not get Minnesota rates? 

• South Dakota offers resident rates to Colorado, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, North Dakota, Wisconsin, and Wyoming, which allows our universities to be competitive regionally. Minnesota decides the rates they offer South Dakota students enrolling at their institutions.

Who do I contact with questions about tuition rates?

• We encourage students to contact the specific institution, Minnesota State (minnstate.edu/askus/index.html), or the University of Minnesota Board of Regent (regents.umn.edu/) for more information about the rates offered to South Dakota students.