USD’s 2026-2027 Enrollment Highlights Strong Alignment With Workforce Needs
On Sept. 10, 2026, the South Dakota Board of Regents announced fall enrollment numbers, reporting strong enrollment across the public university system. At USD, fall enrollment has reached more than 10,000 students for the third consecutive year, including nearly 1,200 first-time freshmen across its Vermillion and Sioux Falls campuses.
Notably, USD – Sioux Falls experienced 48.5% growth in full-time, first-time freshman enrollment. USD’s Vermillion campus added 32 full-time, first-time domestic undergraduate students compared with last fall.
Over the past five years, USD’s overall enrollment has seen steady growth. This increase reflects the university’s commitment to providing students with a high-quality education that positions them for success in their future careers.
“A USD education prepares students to do more than earn a degree; it prepares them to make an impact,” said USD President Sheila K. Gestring. “Our graduates leave campus ready to contribute from day one. They’re entering the fields of healthcare, business, education and countless other industries with the knowledge and confidence to lead and strengthen the communities they call home.”
The Beacom School of Business has seen a strong increase in overall student headcount over the past five years, with 12.7% growth across academic levels. In that time, enrollment in its undergraduate and graduate programs has increased by 7.2% and 30%, respectively.
For the School of Health Sciences, enrollment for the last five years has included an increase in dental hygiene enrollment by 13.3% and nursing enrollment by 17.3%. From fall 2025 to fall 2026, enrollment in public health and health sciences programs has gone up by 8.5%, while the medical laboratory science enrollment is up by 8.7%.
Professional programs have also seen an increase in enrollment, with the Knudson School of Law enrolling more than 250 students and more than 650 students enrolled in graduate-level health education programs.
The College of Arts & Sciences, which houses programs in the sciences, social sciences and humanities, continues to experience high demand; the college’s first-time, full-time domestic student enrollment has increased by 16.6% since last fall.
USD – Sioux Falls has also seen an enrollment increase of 48.5% this fall semester for its first-time, full-time undergraduates, as its programs align naturally with the city’s healthcare and business sectors and are particularly attractive to students seeking education close to employment opportunities.
Thanks in part to nearby school districts, USD – Sioux Falls’ early childhood education (B.S.Ed) has developed rapidly, with the cohort growing to 20 times its size since its inception in 2021. Elementary education majors can also earn their degree while gaining valuable experience in the Sioux Falls School District (SFSD) through apprenticeships like the Teacher Pathway program.
By providing accessible pathways for students at every stage of life, USD and USD – Sioux Falls are meeting the evolving needs of South Dakota’s workforce.
“USD’s commitment to workforce development connects education with opportunity and turns talent into momentum,” said Gestring. “We are empowering individuals to lead with purpose, turn ideas into action and make meaningful change in their communities, across South Dakota and beyond.”
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