South Dakota public university enrollment drop includes fewer undergrad and international students - Mitchell Republic

As UND settles into the fall rhythm in Grand Forks, a neighboring system just to our south is seeing fewer students in classrooms. South Dakota’s public universities reported a downturn this fall, with the biggest dips among undergraduates and international students, according to the Mitchell Republic.

Enrollment slips in South Dakota this fall

South Dakota’s flagship campuses are trending down this year. The University of South Dakota reported a 3.5% overall enrollment decrease, while South Dakota State University saw a 2% drop, the Mitchell Republic reported. The newspaper noted the pullback is concentrated in undergraduate headcounts and among students from abroad.

For readers here, the snapshot is a useful regional data point. What happens across the border often echoes in our own campus economy and workforce pipeline. It’s a reminder to watch how North Dakota’s fall census lands and how local recruiters approach 2026 and beyond.

What’s driving the declines, according to campus leaders

University officials in South Dakota pointed to international enrollment softness as a key factor, according to the Mitchell Republic’s reporting. USD’s enrollment chief, Scott Pohlson, told the paper that many prospective international students are weighing job opportunities in other countries, and that perceptions in overseas markets can shape decisions as much as price. The report also noted that recent tuition changes were not the primary driver cited by administrators this fall.

While each campus has its own mix of programs and pipelines, the recruiting math is familiar across the Upper Midwest. When international interest cools, it ripples into residence halls, lab sections, and graduate programs that depend on global talent.

Why this matters around Grand Forks

Enrollment trends in a neighboring state may not change your commute down University Avenue tomorrow, but they do color the regional picture. Fewer students on any Plains campus can mean tighter budgets, leaner course offerings, and fewer visiting families on game weekends—pressures that Grand Forks leaders track closely when they plan for downtown traffic and seasonal hiring. The Grand Forks Chamber of Commerce regularly highlights how student presence influences local retail and service jobs, which is why regional higher-ed data points draw attention here (Grand Forks Chamber of Commerce).

For UND and our business community, the takeaway is practical: retention and recruitment aren’t just campus issues. They shape rental markets, part-time work, and the customer base that keeps restaurants and venues humming from the Ralph to the Alerus.

What campus voices are emphasizing

South Dakota administrators quoted by the Mitchell Republic said they are concentrating on keeping the students they have while rebuilding interest abroad. That means shoring up student support, advising, and career services—steps aimed at improving year‑to‑year persistence. Student leaders in the report echoed the focus on retention, pointing to campus belonging and clear career pathways as day‑to‑day factors that help classmates stay on track.

If you follow UND’s approach, none of this will sound foreign. The elements—early advising, internships with local employers, and clearer handoffs to first jobs—are the same levers our campus and community partners talk about at workforce roundtables.

What responses are on the table

According to the Mitchell Republic, South Dakota’s public universities and the Board of Regents are leaning into strategies that include targeted recruiting, enhanced student support, and renewed attention to international admissions. The report also notes an emphasis on telling a stronger “return on education” story—connecting degrees to internships and regional jobs.

Those moves mirror what many campuses across the region are already doing. The test over the next two cycles will be whether retention ticks up and whether international interest rebounds in key programs.

How you can plug in locally

• Connect students to work: If your business can offer part-time roles, internships, or project work, list them through UND’s career services (check ahead) and let the Grand Forks Chamber know about openings so they can share with partners (Grand Forks Chamber of Commerce).
• Show up on campus: Public lectures, gallery shows at the North Dakota Museum of Art, and student showcases give undergrads a reason to stay engaged. Check UND’s events calendar for dates and details (UND Newsroom/events — check ahead).
• Welcome international students: If you’ve considered volunteering or supporting cultural programming, reach out to UND’s international programs office for current needs and ways to help (check ahead via UND Newsroom).

What to Watch

• South Dakota’s Board of Regents meets through the fall; look for updated headcount and retention targets to surface in board materials (South Dakota Board of Regents — check agenda).
• Closer to home, keep an eye on UND’s fall enrollment update via the UND Newsroom and how local employers align internships with spring recruiting.
• We’ll also watch whether international interest rebounds by winter application deadlines, a trend that could shape housing and hiring in 2025, according to the Mitchell Republic’s coverage.