Fall enrollment at South Dakota’s six public universities is down about 2.8% in headcount and full-time equivalent students, the South Dakota Board of Regents reported today (Sept. 22, 2020).
The number of full-time equivalent (FTE) students for the Fall 2020 term—based on total credit hours generated by all students within the regents’ system—was down by 718 students to a total of 24,586. Total headcount at the six public universities was 33,566, a decline of 2.76 percent or 954 students over last year.
“Across the country, these are challenging and uncertain times for public higher education,” said Brian L. Maher, the regents’ executive director and CEO. “Our universities prepared for the likelihood that the pandemic would impact fall enrollments, so a reduction of about 700 full-time students was not unexpected. We are pleased that so many students and their families are placing a priority on a university education in these exceptional times. We offer a special thanks to our faculty and staff for their dedication, support, and willingness to adapt.”
South Dakota Public University System: Fall 2020 Enrollments:
| Headcount | Full-time Equivalent | ||||||||
| Fall
2019 |
Fall 2020 | Enrollment Difference | Percentage Difference | Fall
2019 |
Fall 2020 |
Enrollment Difference | Percentage Difference | ||
| Institution | |||||||||
| BHSU | 3,858 | 3,608 | -250 | -6.48 | 2,520.5 | 2,357.0 | -163.5 | -6.49 | |
| DSU | 3,268 | 3,186 | -82 | -2.51 | 2,062.9 | 2,045.8 | -17.1 | -0.83 | |
| NSU | 3,427 | 3,431 | 4 | 0.12 | 1,817.2 | 1,769.8 | -47.4 | -2.61 | |
| SDSMT | 2,529 | 2,477 | -52 | -2.06 | 2,156.4 | 2,039.9 | -116.5 | -5.40 | |
| SDSU | 11,518 | 11,405 | -113 | -0.98 | 9,402.7 | 9,248.5 | -154.2 | -1.64 | |
| USD | 9,920 | 9,459 | -461 | -4.64 | 7,344.3 | 7,125.0 | -219.3 | -2.99 | |
| TOTAL | 34,520 | 33,566 | -954 | -2.76 | 25,304.1 | 24,586.1 | -718.0 | -2.84 | |
The historical trend of headcount and FTE enrollment in South Dakota’s public university system, dating back to 1999, is shown in the following charts.
South Dakota Public University System Headcount Enrollment 1999-2020:
| Fall Term | System | % Change |
| 1999 | 26,616 | |
| 2000 | 27,134 | 1.95% |
| 2001 | 28,446 | 4.84% |
| 2002 | 29,533 | 3.82% |
| 2003 | 29,716 | 0.62% |
| 2004 | 29,844 | 0.43% |
| 2005 | 30,720 | 2.94% |
| 2006 | 30,901 | 0.59% |
| 2007 | 32,148 | 4.04% |
| 2008
2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 |
32,943 33,77936,440 36,103 36,430 36,365 36,532 36,439 |
2.47% 2.54%7.88% -0.92% 0.91% -0.18% 0.46% -0.25% |
| 2016 | 36,531 | 0.25% |
| 2017
2018 2019 2020 |
36,662
35,737 34,520 33,566 |
0.36%
-2.52% -3.41% -2.76% |
South Dakota Public University System Full-Time Equivalent Enrollment 1999-2020:
| Fall Term | System | % Change |
| 1999 | 21,606 | |
| 2000 | 21,616 | 0.04% |
| 2001 | 22,339 | 3.35% |
| 2002 | 23,008 | 3.00% |
| 2003 | 23,605 | 2.59% |
| 2004 | 23,534 | -0.30% |
| 2005 | 24,089 | 2.36% |
| 2006 | 24,144 | 0.23% |
| 2007 | 24,512 | 1.52% |
| 2008
2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 |
24.926 25,46826,625 26,720 26,468 26,782 26,737 26,684 |
1.69% 2.17%4.54% 0.35% -0.94% 1.18% -0.17% -0.20% |
| 2016 | 26,600 | -0.32% |
| 2017
2018 2019 2020 |
26,634
26,093 25,304 24,586 |
0.13%
-2.03% -3.02% -2.84% |
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