Public University Enrollment Rises in South Dakota, Iowa

South Dakota’s public university system has seen steady enrollment growth, with total enrollment topping 36,000 for the second consecutive year and marking the fourth consecutive year of targeted growth, despite nationwide declines in higher education. Dakota State University set a new enrollment record with more than 3,800 students, while South Dakota State University achieved its largest enrollment since 2017. Augustana University also reported its largest enrollment in its 165-year history, including a 15% increase in its freshman class. Additionally, Southeast Technical College experienced a 6% enrollment increase, reaching over 2,800 students. Similarly, Iowa’s three public universities reported enrollment gains, with the University of Iowa and Iowa State University each seeing about a 2% increase in total enrollment, and Iowa State continuing its trend of growth with a retention rate above 89%. These increases reflect a broader trend of more in-state students pursuing higher education and institutions focusing on student retention and recruitment.