USD Sees Historic Year for Enrollment, Reporting All-Time Record in Overall Headcount and Largest-Ever Entering Class
USD reported a new all-time record in overall headcount this fall, with 10,619 students enrolled –751 more students than last year’s enrollment of 9,868. This reflects a staggering 7.6% increase compared to fall 2023.
In addition to this success in overall headcount, USD also reached new heights by welcoming its all-time largest entering class of first-time, full-time undergraduate students, with 1,371 enrolled.
USD has also experienced significant success at its campus in Sioux Falls; total enrollment at USD – Sioux Falls has increased by 17.2% since last year.
“USD – Sioux Falls provides the community with a public university option for students who are looking for an alternative to the traditional college experience,” said USD President Sheila K. Gestring. “We are excited to see continued growth at our Sioux Falls campus given its crucial role in strengthening the workforce in business, health care and education.”
Total enrollment for the university’s graduate programs – including the USD Graduate School, the Knudson School of Law and the Sanford School of Medicine – also reached an all-time record, with 3,000 students enrolled. This accomplishment reinforces USD’s legacy of producing leaders across industries, including in health care, business, education and data sciences. USD remains the largest provider of graduate education in the state and is home to South Dakota’s only medical and law schools.
Among USD’s entering class, the undergraduate majors with the highest enrollment include business, nursing, computer science and medical biology. At the graduate level, USD’s M.S. in business analytics experienced monumental success this fall; the program reached its highest ever total enrollment, with a growth of 80% over last year.
“USD is experiencing phenomenal growth – not just in one program, but in several key areas that will further strengthen South Dakota’s workforce,” said Vice President for Enrollment, Marketing/University Relations and Student Services Scott Pohlson, Ph.D.
As USD’s student population grows, the university continues to plan for housing options that will best serve its students. Pohlson shared that occupancy for on-campus housing is at 96% this fall.
“We anticipated a large incoming class, so we worked proactively with our current students to offer an optional housing exemption process,” Pohlson said. “Students who want to live on campus continue to have that option. For those who wish to live off campus, the exemption process gives our students more flexibility in choosing the path that’s right for them.”
“It’s an exciting time to be a Coyote,” President Gestring said. “This record-breaking year reflects a demand for a high-quality liberal arts education at a manageable cost, and we are proud to offer that for South Dakota.”
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