Oct 1, 2009
 

USD announces overall enrollment growth for 2009

VERMILLION, S.D. -- Total enrollment at The University of South Dakota exceeds more than 9,600 students in 2009, an increase of more than 3.5 percent over a year ago. According to information released today by the Board of Regents, 9,617 students are enrolled for the fall of 2009, bettering last year’s total of 9,291 students.
 
"Our enrollment at USD continues to grow and that's attributable to several extraordinary factors, including outstanding faculty and state-of-the-art facilities for our School of Business as well as our School of Medicine and School of Health Sciences," said James W. Abbott, president of The University of South Dakota. "Given the condition of the national economy, students recognize that their education is an investment. At USD, our students have opportunities to pursue national and global scholarships, enroll in signature academic programs, and facilities that are second to none."

Since 2003, total enrollment at USD has increased more than 21 percent from 7,917 students to 9,617, and enrollment for 2009 – compared to just last fall – indicates an increase in overall cultural diversity on the USD campus: African-American student enrollment has increased by 24 percent over the previous fall while the Asian student population has grown by 6 percent since the fall of 2008.  During that same timeframe (from Fall 2003 to Fall 2009), graduate enrollment at The U has increased by 23 percent. Between Fall 2008 and Fall 2009, graduate enrollment went up 9 percent to 2,004 students.

"Our student population at USD is indicative of providing extraordinary opportunities for all students," said Jeff Baylor, acting vice president of marketing, enrollment and student services. "This is a very exciting time to be a Coyote. Students are getting the best when it comes to their learning environment and that’s what they deserve from South Dakota's flagship university."

Additionally, non-resident enrollment has increased at The U by more than 8 percent since 2008 (2,643 non-resident students in 2009 compared to 2,452 non-resident students in 2008). While enrollment of students from South Dakota has increased 2 percent over last year, enrollment of students from Iowa (7 percent) and Minnesota (6 percent) has increased since 2008. In fact, total headcount at South Dakota’s six public universities increased more than 2 percent over a year ago. It's the 12th consecutive year that South Dakota’s public university system has reported record-high enrollments.
 
About The University of South Dakota
 
Founded in 1862, The University of South Dakota is designated as the only public liberal arts university in the state and is home to a comprehensive College of Arts and Sciences, School of Education, School of Health Sciences, the state's only School of Law, School of Medicine, the accredited Beacom School of Business and the College of Fine Arts. It has an enrollment of more than 9,600 students taught by 400 faculty members. More information is available at www.usd.edu/press/news.

This material is available in an alternate format upon request. Please contact University Relations at 605-677-5759. If you are a person with a disability and need a special accommodation to fully participate in any university activity or event, please contact Disability Services at 605-677-6389 as soon as possible, but no later than 48 hours before the event, so that appropriate arrangements may be made.
 

MEDIA CONTACTS:
Phillip Carter
The University of South Dakota
605-677-6258
phillip.carter@usd.edu
 
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