South Dakota universities see steady enrollment, more in-state students

Dakota State University reports record student body with SDSU and USD also posting strong numbers

Dakota State University announced record-breaking enrollment figures Wednesday, while enrollment across South Dakota’s public university system has topped 36,000 for the second year in a row, marking the fourth consecutive year of targeted growth, state officials announced Thursday.

System leaders say the trend is especially notable given nationwide enrollment declines in higher education. More South Dakota high school graduates are also staying in state to pursue degrees. Enrollment of South Dakota students across the six public universities rose to 22,410, an increase of more than 1,600 since fall 2021.

While DSU reported record enrollment, South Dakota State University reported its largest enrollment since 2017. And it’s not just public schools. Augustana University also announced its largest enrollment in its 165-year history.