For Release October 2
Regents Release Fall 1996 Enrollment Numbers
PIERRE-The Board of Regents today released enrollment numbers for the Fall 1996 semester, which show a slight overall decline from Fall 1995 levels, but an increase in the number of South Dakotans enrolling as freshman at the state's six public universities.
Systemwide, headcount enrollment for Fall 1996 stands at 24,327-down 3.84% from 25,298 in Fall 1995. The rate of decrease for 1996 is smaller than the 5.15% drop posted between Fall 1994 and Fall 1995. In full-time equivalent enrollment, the university system stands at 21,422.3, down 3.07% from 22,101.4 a year ago.
However, the number of South Dakota residents enrolled as freshmen at state universities actually increased 1.5% over Fall 1995 levels. Freshman enrollment for non-residents decreased 11.9% from last fall.
Headcount enrollment differences between Fall 1995 and Fall 1996 range from an increase of 4.75% at Black Hills State University, to a decrease of 9.08% at Dakota State University. Leading the system in headcount enrollment is South Dakota State University at 8,350 students, with the University of South Dakota second at 7,028 students.
"While we would certainly like to see an overall increase in enrollment at the universities, it is reassuring to see a rise in the number of South Dakotans coming in as freshmen," remarked Regents' Executive Director Robert T. Tad Perry. "That fact, combined with other information, indicates that our resident base is healthy."
According to Perry, sixty percent of the overall drop in Fall
1996 headcount enrollment occurred in non-resident students (571
students out of a 971 student drop), which most likely is due to
a 20% increase in non-resident tuition for 1996-97, as well as a
legislative change in residency standards that took effect July
1.
Board of Regents President Karl Wegner of Sioux Falls commented on the release of the numbers, stating, "I'm delighted to see the increase in South Dakota freshmen, and hope that we can continue this direction. To me, it is a sign of citizens' confidence in our ability to deliver a quality, affordable education."
The Board of Regents will meet October 10-11 at Northern State University in Aberdeen.
Enrollment Summary
Fall 1995/Fall 1996
| Headcount | FTE | |||||||
| University | Fall 1995 | Fall 1996 | Enroll. Diff. | % Diff. | Fall 1995 | Fall 1996 | Enroll. Diff. | % Diff. |
| BHSU | 2,736 | 2,866 | +130 | +4.75% | 2,394.1 | 2,429.7 | +35.6 | +1.49% |
| DSU | 1,354 | 1,231 | -123 | -9.08% | 1,023.6 | 926.8 | -96.8 | -9.46% |
| NSU | 2,683 | 2,634 | -49 | -1.83% | 2,294.7 | 2,267.5 | -27.2 | -1.19% |
| SDSMT | 2,356 | 2,218 | -138 | -5.86% | 1,942.2 | 1,855.3 | -86.9 | -4.47% |
| SDSU | 8,840 | 8,350 | -490 | -5.54% | 7,850.5 | 7,697.9 | -152.6 | -1.94% |
| USD | 7,329 | 7,028 | -301 | -4.11% | 6,596.3 | 6,245.1 | -351.2 | -5.32% |
| Total | 25,298 | 24,327 | -971 | -3.84% | 22,101.4 | 21,422.3 | -679.1 | -3.07% |
Degree Credit Freshmen
Headcount Enrollment-Fall 1995 and Fall 1996
| Residency | Fall 1995 Headcount | Fall 1996 Headcount | % Difference |
| Resident | 5,231 | 5,311 | +1.5% |
| Non-Resident | 1,854 | 1,633 | -11.9% |