BROOKINGS, S.D. (9-11-26) — South Dakota State University continues to be the university of choice for South Dakota students this fall with the highest number of in-state students in over a decade. SDSU’s total enrollment is near 12,000 students for the third consecutive year.
SDSU’s fall 2026 enrollment is 11,901 students, including nearly 7,000 South Dakota residents — the highest number of in-state students in 11 years. The university also welcomed 2,276 first-time undergraduate students, one of the five largest incoming classes in SDSU history.
Among those first-time students, 1,272 are South Dakota residents, an increase of nearly 8% from a year ago. South Dakota students represent approximately 56% of SDSU’s incoming class.
“Those numbers are important because they speak directly to our mission as South Dakota’s 1862 land-grant university,” SDSU President Barry Dunn said. “We have a responsibility to provide access to the benefits of higher education for those who seek it and prepare graduates who will strengthen our state’s workforce, communities and economy. Attracting South Dakota students, helping them succeed and providing opportunities for them to build their futures here remain central to that mission.”
SDSU also continues to demonstrate strong student retention. The university’s first-year retention rate is nearly 83%, marking the fourth consecutive year it has exceeded 82%.
The combination of historically strong incoming classes and high-quality academic and student success supports driving strong retention rates is also translating into more SDSU graduates. During the 2025-26 academic year, 2,648 students earned a degree or certificate from SDSU, an increase of more than 12% from the previous year.
“Our responsibility extends well beyond enrolling students,” Dunn said. “We want them to succeed, earn their degree and have the opportunity to use their education to make a positive impact. Our graduates are entering the workforce, continuing their education and contributing to communities throughout South Dakota and beyond.”
Other areas of growth this fall include doctoral degree enrollment, which increased 10%, and American Indian student enrollment, which increased by more than 14%.
Overall enrollment declined modestly from 12,139 students in fall 2025 to 11,901 this fall. International student enrollment contributed a significant portion of the decline with nearly 90 fewer students from other countries attending SDSU this year, a trend that is occurring at colleges and universities throughout the United States. Despite the decline, SDSU has maintained enrollment at approximately 12,000 students for three consecutive years in an increasingly competitive higher education environment.
Dunn credited SDSU faculty and staff and the university’s welcoming culture for helping attract and retain students.
“Enrollment and student success are university-wide efforts,” Dunn said. “Every interaction a student has with SDSU helps shape their experience and their decision to come here, remain here and ultimately graduate. Our faculty and staff are committed to providing an exceptional experience that helps our students succeed while fulfilling our responsibility to the people and communities of South Dakota.”
As South Dakota’s largest public university, SDSU combines education, research and outreach to serve students and communities across the state. Its ability to attract South Dakota students, retain them through graduation and prepare them for successful careers supports the state’s workforce needs and contributes to South Dakota’s long-term economic vitality.
About South Dakota State University
Founded in 1881, South Dakota State University is the state’s Morrill Act land-grant institution as well as its largest, most comprehensive school of higher education. SDSU confers degrees from seven different colleges representing more than 230 majors, minors and specializations. The institution also offers 39 master’s degree programs, 17 Ph.D. and two professional programs.
The work of the university is carried out on a residential campus in Brookings, at sites in Sioux Falls, Pierre and Rapid City, and through Extension offices and Agricultural Experiment Station research sites across the state. SDSU’s research expenditures for the 2025 fiscal year were more than $94 million. SDSU has a Doctoral University: High Research Activity designation on The Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education.
For more information:SDSU News • www.sdstate.edu
— From SDSU University Marketing and Communications
