Is SD’s public university enrollment higher than pre-pandemic levels?

Though enrollment at South Dakota’s public universities decreased 0.8% in the past year, the number of enrolled students for 2026-27 is higher than it was the year before the COVID-19 outbreak. 

Overall, public universities encountered a post-COVID boom that has surpassed its student count in 2019 (34,520).

The Board of Regents announced Sept. 10 that enrollment has decreased overall at three of its public universities and increased at the other three, with a total enrollment of 35,797.

The University of South Dakota in Vermillion dropped 3.5% to 10,040 students; South Dakota State in Brookings dropped 1.96% to 11,901; and South Dakota Mines in Rapid City fell 2% to 2,489. 

Meanwhile, enrollment at Dakota State University in Madison grew 3.46% to 3,975; Northern State in Aberdeen increased by about 4% to 3,890; and Black Hills State in Spearfish increased 2.25% to 3,502.