South Dakota State University: A Comprehensive Look at Student Demographics and Enrollment Statistics
South Dakota State University (SDSU), a public land-grant research university in Brookings, South Dakota, founded in 1881, stands as the state's largest and most comprehensive higher education institution. This article delves into the university's student population, examining various aspects such as enrollment trends, diversity, graduation rates, and costs.
Overview of South Dakota State University
SDSU operates under the guidance of the South Dakota Board of Regents. It is a land-grant university with a special focus on academic programs in agriculture, engineering, nursing, and pharmacy, as well as liberal arts. SDSU is classified among "R2: Doctoral Universities - High research activity".
Enrollment Trends
Recent Growth
South Dakota State University has seen significant enrollment growth in recent years. The fall 2025 semester saw a total headcount of 12,139 students, marking the university’s largest enrollment since 2017. This figure surpasses the previous year's headcount of 12,065 students.
Incoming Class
In the fall of 2025, SDSU welcomed 2,276 new first-time students, making it the fourth-largest incoming class in the university's history.
Geographic Diversity
SDSU attracts students from across the nation and around the globe. Students come from 48 states and 78 countries, underscoring the university’s national and global reach. A significant portion of the student body, over 56% or about 6,840 students, are from South Dakota, showing an increase of 2.3% compared to the previous year. Seventeen percent of the total enrollment of first-time students comes from Sioux Falls, the largest metro area in South Dakota, reflecting a 1.3% increase from the previous year.
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Enrollment by Area
As of 2023, enrollment by academic area is as follows:
- Agriculture, Food and Environmental Sciences: 1,827 (15.1%)
- Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences: 2,562 (21.2%)
- Education and Human Sciences: 1,751 (14.5%)
- Education and Human Sciences - Non-Degree Seeking: 1,516 (12.6%)
- Jerome J. Lohr College of Engineering: 1,755 (14.5%)
Full-Time vs. Part-Time Enrollment
In 2023, the full-time enrollment at South Dakota State University was 8,283 students, while the part-time enrollment was 3,215. This indicates that 72% of students are enrolled full-time.
Student Demographics
Gender Distribution
For the academic year 2023-2024, South Dakota State University had a total of 11,498 enrolled students, with 5,078 male and 6,420 female students. The male-female ratio is approximately 44:56.
Race and Ethnicity
The racial and ethnic distribution of the student body in 2023-2024 is as follows:
- White: 9,496
- Hispanic or Latino: 327
- Two or More Races: 240
- Asian: 150
- Black or African American: 144
- American Indian or Alaska Native: 136
Age Distribution
South Dakota State University attracts students of various ages. In 2023-2024:
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- 946 students are under 18 years old.
- 4 students are over 65 years old.
- 10,055 students are under 25 years old.
- 1,442 students are over 25 years old.
Geographic Diversity
College Factual analyzed data regarding geographic diversity and determined that South Dakota State ranks 520 out of 2,183. Approximately 48.75% of students come from out of state, while 2.91% are international students.
Retention and Graduation Rates
Retention Rate
SDSU's retention rate is among the highest in the state and region. The university reported an 83% retention rate in 2025, its second-highest ever and the fifth time in six years that retention has been above 80%.
Graduation Rate
In 2023, 42% of students graduating from South Dakota State University completed their program within 100% of the "normal time" (i.e., 4 years for a 4-year degree). Additionally, 59% completed their degrees within 150% of the normal time, and 60% within 200%.
Costs and Financial Aid
Tuition
In 2023, the median undergraduate tuition at South Dakota State University was $7,773, significantly lower than the national average for Doctoral Universities ($31,004).
Average Net Price
The average net price, which factors in grants and loans, was $18,233 in 2023.
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Financial Aid
In 2023, 64% of undergraduate students received financial aid through grants, and 46% received financial aid through loans.
Academic Programs and Outcomes
Degree Types
SDSU awards associate degrees, bachelor's degrees, master's degrees, and doctoral degrees. The university provides 200 fields of study.
Graduates by Degree Type (2023)
- Associates of Science: 105 (4.3%)
- Bachelor's degrees: 1,883 (76.8%)
- Master's degree: 345 (14.1%)
- Doctor of Philosophy: 46 (1.9%)
- Doctor of Pharmacy/Doctor of Nursing Practice: 73 (2.9%)
Job Outcomes
The most common jobs for people holding a degree from South Dakota State University include other managers, architects, elementary and middle school teachers, postsecondary teachers, and secondary school teachers.
Common Industries
Graduates commonly find employment in elementary and secondary schools, architectural, engineering, and related services, colleges, universities, and professional schools, and computer systems design.
Rankings and Recognition
South Dakota State University is recognized in the 2026 edition of Best Colleges as No. 257 in National Universities and No. 145 in Top Public Schools.
Campus and Resources
Campus Size and Setting
The campus is situated in a rural setting and spans 401 acres.
Student-Faculty Ratio
The student-faculty ratio at South Dakota State University is 17:1.
Library Resources
The Hilton M. Briggs Library houses an extensive collection of resources, including more than 635,000 bound volumes, 315,000 government documents, 79,000 maps, and access to 1,800 journal titles, with an additional 28,000 titles available online.
Research and Economic Development
SDSU is aspiring to become an R1 university by 2031, which requires annual research expenditures of at least $50 million and the granting of 70 research-intensive doctorates annually. The university is home to several research centers, including the Haarberg Center for Drug, Disease and Delivery Research, the Center for Biologics Research and Commercialization, and Biosystems Networks and Translational Research. SDSU researchers also play a key role in the South Dakota Biofilm Science and Engineering Center, the South Dakota Center for Electrochemical Energy Storage, and the South Dakota Center for Understanding and Disrupting the Illicit Economy.
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