South Dakota State University’s enrollment is back up over 12,000 students, according to numbers released last week by the Board of Regents.
A record number of 2,449 incoming freshmen and strong retention of students from their first year to their second year helped push enrollment higher – to 12,065.
It’s SDSU’s highest enrollment total since 2018.
“It’s really exciting; SDSU is a place students want to be because they find community here,” Students’ Association President Trinity Peterson said. “I’m happy that people seem to love SDSU just like I do.”
This year’s freshman class broke the previous mark of 2,306 set in 2013. It was 7.6% bigger than last year’s freshman class.
The retention rate, meanwhile, hit 83.8%, and that broke last year’s record by almost one percentage point, university officials noted. It’s the fourth time in five years that retention at the university has been 80% or higher.
“We are very pleased with this year’s enrollment numbers and the fact that SDSU is a university of choice for so many students,” SDSU President Barry Dunn said in a statement from the university.
Regents numbers show South Dakota State is the largest university in the state, followed by USD in Vermillion, with 10,619 students. Enrollment at other state schools looks like this:
• Dakota State in Madison – 3,774
• Northern State in Aberdeen – 3,708
• Black Hills State in Spearfish – 3,346
• South Dakota School of Mines and Technology in Rapid City – 2,579
USD’s and Dakota State’s new enrollment totals represented the highest percentage jump compared to 2023 numbers, with both universities growing by 7.6%. SDSU grew by 4.9%. Black Hills State was the only state school with falling enrollment, losing 3.7%.
A total of 36,091 students are enrolled in state universities this fall, according to numbers from the Regents. It is the third straight year South Dakota’s public universities have posted an increase in overall enrollment.
“The commitment to making higher education accessible by our governor, legislature, universities, and Board of Regents is steadfast,” Regents President Tim Rave said. “The partnership between these entities ensures that South Dakota’s first-rate public universities remain among the most cost-effective options in the country.”
A news release from the Regents noted that tuition rates have been “virtually flat” for the past five years.
At SDSU this fall, students come from 47 states and 77 different countries. In fact, international student numbers jumped 17.7% to 826 students. Undergraduate international student numbers jumped 30.3%.
Peterson said that more students on campus will mean more opportunities for them. Because of the number of students, there will be more club involvement and the growth of events, which will have a positive impact on the campus.
She did note that challenges also come with the rise in student numbers.
“The safety of students and being mindful of the ones that are riding bikes, walking and even driving around has become a challenge,” Peterson said. “The campus is packed.”
Diving further into the SDSU numbers show that first-year students from South Dakota grew 7.4% from last year to 1,237. Students from the Sioux Falls metro area also increased 10%, drawing nearly 400 students from that area.
According to the Regents Fact Book, more than 42% of first-year students who enrolled in BOR institutions the past two years came to SDSU, a percentage likely to maintain or potentially grow with this year’s class.
“The students attending SDSU today will be the leaders and innovators of tomorrow and accomplish amazing things throughout their professional and personal lives,” Dunn said in the university’s statement. “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.”