University of South Dakota – Sioux Falls Sees Enrollment Growth in Business, Healthcare Programs
When those decisions come together, they shape something larger: the university itself.
The University of South Dakota – Sioux Falls serves a unique role in the Sioux Falls community by providing students in the area with affordable programs that prepare them for careers that are in high demand in the local workforce.
As enrollment continues to grow in key areas, university leaders are offering insight into the programs students are choosing to fit their academic interests and career goals. The Sioux Falls campus, which welcomed 649 students this fall semester, has also experienced a 48.5% growth in full-time, first-time freshman enrollment.
“USD – Sioux Falls has been deliberate and purposeful in expanding academic programs,” said Jay Perry, Ph.D., vice president for USD – Sioux Falls. “The future workforce needs affordable access to college, and the city needs a public university. USD – Sioux Falls fills that role, especially for the next generation of business and healthcare leaders.”
Healthcare and business programs have emerged as particular areas of growth at USD – Sioux Falls. The campus has also experienced significant enrollment increases among both first-time and transfer students.
“We’ve seen consistent growth specifically in our nursing and health sciences programs over the past few years,” said Jordan Decker, associate director of admissions for USD – Sioux Falls. “Our growing enrollment numbers tell us that the interest in working in these fields remains high.”
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics anticipates a 13% increase in overall healthcare employment by 2031, resulting in nearly 1.9 million job openings each year. The South Dakota Department of Labor and Regulation projects that the healthcare and social assistance sector will add more jobs in South Dakota between now and 2034 (roughly 8,600 jobs) than any other industrial sector. USD’s Sioux Falls campus offers students who have an interest in these high-demand areas with the educational opportunities they need to launch their careers.
Decker also highlights the recent addition of the radiological technology specialization within the health sciences program, which began in January 2026. This program educates aspiring radiologic technologists and equips them to learn imaging procedures like X-rays, CT scans and MRIs to help physicians diagnose medical conditions and injuries.
“Having this program offered at USD – Sioux Falls, Sanford Health and Avera makes it easier for local students to jump right into the workforce once they earn their degree,” said Decker. “We’ve seen an increase in students from across South Dakota who have said they want to move to Sioux Falls for these programs. It’s nice to have these options available through USD – Sioux Falls.”
In addition to the healthcare programs, another factor driving enrollment growth for USD – Sioux Falls is its business programs through the USD Beacom School of Business—which has seen a 29.5% increase in graduate business program enrollment since 2022, with total enrollment across the business school reaching an all-time high this fall. Growth at USD’s Sioux Falls campus has contributed to that upward trend.
From business administration to finance programs and graduate opportunities, USD – Sioux Falls business students develop the necessary skills to become successful business leaders who are focused on delivering intellectual and professional contributions and meaningful service to the world.
Business students have opportunities to build a strong foundation in business principles while developing skills in areas like leadership, communication, critical thinking and decision-making. Likewise, students can connect with the Sioux Falls community through opportunities like Coyote Business Consulting, industry advisory councils, student internships and more.
In February of this year, the business school gave an inside look at its Sales Center and its complementary undergraduate and graduate professional sales certificates, which launched this fall. The curriculum involves rigorous coursework, experiential learning and industry engagement—equipping students with in-demand skills needed for careers in professional selling. It also reflects a growing recognition that sales skills, from relationship-building to strategic communication, are among the most versatile and in-demand skills in today’s economy.
The Beacom School of Business is also becoming more accessible to Southeast Technical College students looking to continue their education at USD – Sioux Falls.
USD – Sioux Falls is building upon its partnership with Southeast Tech to expand and strengthen transfer pathways between the two institutions, allowing Southeast Tech graduates in several business-related associate degree programs to apply up to 65 credits toward corresponding bachelor’s degrees at USD. For students, the goal is a more seamless, affordable path from an associate degree to a bachelor’s degree. For employers, it is a way to strengthen the pipeline of business talent needed across South Dakota.
“By working together, we create more opportunities for students,” Perry said. “Together, we can meet the changing needs of students who come from the greater Sioux Falls area and are planning to work in Sioux Falls. The collaboration is a real benefit to the community.”
Partnerships for Student Success
Those connections are part of a broader approach at USD – Sioux Falls, where local businesses and organizations work with the university to provide students with professional learning opportunities in settings like internships, clinical placements and more.
With access to these opportunities, students can gain experience in their fields while building connections with professionals across Sioux Falls and South Dakota. For the university, these partnerships also strengthen relationships with local industries and help connect classroom learning with the needs of the workforce.
“The relationships we have with the business and healthcare communities in Sioux Falls give our students a strong advantage in career readiness once they graduate. These programs naturally align with the city’s healthcare and business sectors and may be particularly attractive to students seeking an education in a location where employment numbers are high,” said Decker.
Those industry connections are also reflected in the relationships USD – Sioux Falls faculty have built throughout the Sioux Falls community and within their respective fields.
“We have tremendous professors who are very well connected in the Sioux Falls area and in their respective professions. This allows our students to utilize those connections while they’re earning their degree,” Decker said. “Our industry partners let us know what they need out of our graduates, and we respond. Our students leave USD – Sioux Falls ready for the field they’re going into. It makes our graduates stand out to employers.”
Perry agreed with that sentiment, noting the Sioux Falls area is the region’s “epicenter” for business and healthcare.
With continued growth in its business and healthcare programs, USD – Sioux Falls is positioning itself to serve more students while helping meet the workforce needs of the region.
“Sioux Falls is the region’s epicenter for business and healthcare, and students understand that going to school here gives them access to professional experiences that make them even more marketable,” Perry said. “It’s where business and healthcare jobs are, and those sectors continue to grow.
“USD – Sioux Falls stays in close contact with industry partners and city leaders, so we know what programs will work in this region and what will appeal to students who want to make their careers here,” Perry continued. “We’re proud to fill that role and to be build a pipeline of leaders who will go on to serve our community.”
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