Total enrollment at USD is 10,284 this fall – up more than 3 percent from 2011, including the largest incoming freshman class ever. This year’s incoming freshman class of 1,251 students is an 11 percent increase from 2011. Since 2007, USD’s total enrollment has grown from 9,243 students to 10,284, an increase of more than 11 percent.

“Obviously we’re pleased with the tremendous overall growth of the University and, in particular, the significant size of our incoming freshman class,” said James W. Abbott, president of the University of South Dakota. “The increase in our enrollment speaks volumes to our exceptional faculty, the programs and resources we provide our students and we can’t overlook the significance of the generous scholarship support provided by the USD Foundation.”

USD’s incoming freshman class also continues to maintain lofty academic standards with an average ACT assessment score of 23.18, eclipsing the state and national average of 21.8. This ongoing trend can be attributed to USD’s outstanding Honors Program, which grew to 142 students this fall – an increase from last fall’s 137 and a new record for the program.

Overall, USD was one of only two state regental institutions to post increases in total full-time equivalent student enrollment. USD grew from 7,233 in 2011 to 7,325 in 2012. The Board of Regents also announced today that the total headcount for the six public universities was 36,430, a 327 student increase from last year.

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