2021 enrollment in South Dakota’s six public universities down 121 students from last year; SDSU sees increase of 60 students

Fall headcount enrollment at South Dakota’s six public universities is largely unchanged from last year, the South Dakota Board of Regents reported today (Sept. 24, 2021). System headcount was down 0.35%– or 121 students. Total headcount at the six public universities was 33,445.

Another measure of enrollment is full-time equivalent (FTE) students. FTE for the Fall 2021 term—based on total credit hours generated by all students within the regents’ system—was 23,964, a decline of 2.53% or 621 students over last year.

“Enrollments are substantially flat and that is about what we expected, since we still see impacts from the ongoing pandemic,” said Brian L. Maher, the regents’ executive director and CEO. “While we dedicated ourselves to offering a more normal higher education experience this fall, these are challenging times. Our public university system is prepared to meet that challenge head on, delivering South Dakota a well-educated workforce and engaged citizens.”

South Dakota Public University System: Fall 2021 Enrollments:

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 1999-2021

South Dakota Public University System Full-Time Equivalent Enrollment 1999-2021