PIERRE, S.D. – Fall enrollment at South Dakota’s six public universities is down 3 percent in full-time equivalent students, the South Dakota Board of Regents reported today.

The number of full-time equivalent (FTE) students for the Fall 2019 term—based on total credit hours generated by all students within the regents’ system—was down by 789.1 students to a total of 25,303.8. Total headcount at the six public universities was 34,520, a decline of 3.4 percent or 1,217 students over last year.

In contrast to these system enrollment trends, Dakota State University at Madison reported growth of 1.26 percent in its full-time equivalent students.

“South Dakota’s unemployment rate remains low, and we have a strong job market. That results in some students choosing work over education, especially if they struggle to find the financial resources to attend college,” said Paul B. Beran, the regents’ executive director and CEO. “South Dakota lacks a stable source of state-level, need-based financial aid. In our work with the Governor and state legislators, we’ll continue to stress that such support is critical to make higher education a reality for more students.”

South Dakota Public University System: Fall 2019 Enrollments

The historical trend of headcount and FTE enrollment in South Dakota’s public university system, dating back to 1999, is shown in the following charts:

South Dakota Public University System

Headcount Enrollment 1999-2019

South Dakota Public University System

Full-Time Equivalent Enrollment 1999-2019