South Dakota State University has recorded its highest enrollment since 2018 showing over 12,000 students on campus according to figures released by the South Dakota Board of Regents (SDBOR) earlier today.

The enrollment of 12,065 students was boasted by the largest first-year student class SDSU has ever seen, 2,449, shattering the previous mark set in 2013 of 2,306 and growing over last year’s total by 7.6%.

Record retention also contributed with 83.8% of students staying enrolled from their first year to their second year breaking last year’s record by almost 1% according to a press release from University Marketing and Communications.

SDSU President Barry Dunn says the university is happy with this year’s enrollment numbers.

“We continue to strategically expand and grow our university in ways that support the workforce of our state while continuing to serve our land-grant mission of providing the benefits of higher education to the people and communities of South Dakota,” Dunn said in a press release.

Figures also show that students from the Rushmore State are staying closer to home for college as first-year student numbers from South Dakota grew 7.4% from last year to 1,237 showing that 400 of those students came from the Sioux Falls metro area.

According to the SDBOR Fact Book, more than 42% of first-year students who enrolled in Board of Regents schools the past two years came to SDSU. This percentage is likely to stay the same or potentially grow with this year’s class.

“South Dakota students continue to recognize the great value SDSU proves them and the opportunities available as they explore and find the majors and educational pathways they are most passionate about,” Dunn said.

SDSU’s goal to reach designation as an R1 Research University by the Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education is also seeing some improvement as doctoral research Ph.D. candidates grew 13.1% to 268 students.

“We are excited about the future of our research and can only anticipate positive growth in this area as the university continues to advance its research portfolio.

Students from other countries also increased by 17.7% to 826 students with undergraduate international students seeing a significant growth of 30.3% and graduate international students by 7.8%.

According to the press release, students this year came to SDSU from 77 different countries and 47 different states. Overall credit hours grew to 5,978 moving total credit hours to 142,812.

“We are excited to have welcomed them from around the state, the region and the world as they learn and grow during such an important time in their lives. It is a privilege to help and guide them along this journey.” Dunn said.