University Enrollment Trends
Public university enrollment declines slightly across Wisconsin and South Dakota this fall.
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Universities of Wisconsin Interim President Renée Wachter said enrollment stability reflects expanded access routes, including traditional applications, Direct Admit Wisconsin and the Wisconsin Guarantee, as well as efforts to align academic programs with workforce needs and improve student success.
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UW-Madison remained the largest university in the system with 50,500 students, followed by UW-Milwaukee with 23,000 and UW-Whitewater with 12,270; UW-Superior was the smallest, with 2,950 students.
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Black Hills State University officials attributed enrollment growth partly to demand for business and health sciences programs and the school’s employer connections in the Black Hills, while South Dakota Mines said its engineering, science and technology programs continue to attract students seeking careers in manufacturing, energy, defense and technology.
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Iowa State reported that about 20% of its 5,872 first-year students are first-generation college students.
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Iowa State President David Cook attributed the university’s retention results to programs preparing students for high-demand careers and “holistic support” intended to help students graduate with an Iowa State degree.
Public universities in Wisconsin and South Dakota posted modest enrollment declines this fall, driven largely by fewer international students. The Universities of Wisconsin system saw enrollment drop about 1% to 163,260 students, with international student losses accounting for roughly 1,100 of the 1,732-student decrease jsonline. South Dakota's six public universities enrolled 35,797 students, down just 0.8%, while domestic demand and targeted recruitment helped offset international headwinds The Northwestern.
Despite the decline, regional universities are adapting by expanding pathways for domestic students and aligning programs with job markets. Universities of Wisconsin officials credited multiple admission routes and workforce-focused academics for maintaining stability, while schools like Black Hills State and South Dakota Mines reported growth in high-demand fields like engineering and health sciences.
International Student Losses Hit Wisconsin System Hardest
The Universities of Wisconsin system lost about 1,100 international students out of roughly 1,732 total enrollees who did not return. jsonline reported that declines appeared first at UW-Green Bay, UW-Stout, and UW-Superior in 2021, with 2024 bringing broader losses to the entire system. UW-Madison, the system's flagship with 50,500 students, absorbed much of the international decline.
UW-Milwaukee and UW-Whitewater remain the system's second and third largest campuses with 23,000 and 12,270 students respectively. Universities of Wisconsin Interim President Renée Wachter said enrollment stability reflects "expanded access routes," including Direct Admit Wisconsin and the Wisconsin Guarantee, as well as efforts to match academics with workforce demand.
South Dakota Stabilizes Around 35,000 Students
South Dakota's six public universities declined just 0.8% to 35,797 students, marking the third consecutive year above 35,000 enrollment. First-time freshman enrollment topped 5,000 for the third year in a row, signaling steady domestic recruitment. Black Hills State University reached its highest enrollment in five years, driven by demand for business and health sciences programs and connections to local employers.
South Dakota Mines reported its largest transfer class since 2017. Officials attribute continued growth to engineering, science, and technology programs that connect directly to careers in manufacturing, energy, defense, and technology. This signals that regional schools can compete in a flat market by linking academics to visible job opportunities.
Iowa State Gains Ground Through Retention and Support
Iowa State University enrolled 30,772 students this fall, with its first-year class declining nearly 5% but retention climbing to new highs. One-year retention hit 88.3% and two-year retention reached 82.9%, a two-year high. About 20% of Iowa State's 5,872 first-year students are first-generation college students.
Iowa State President David Cook linked strong retention to programs preparing students for high-demand careers and "holistic support" systems aimed at helping students graduate. While a smaller freshman class poses long-term challenges, robust retention protects overall enrollment and boosts graduation odds. The university emphasized workforce alignment as key to surviving flatter enrollment markets.
Workforce-Aligned Programs Drive Student Choice
Across all three states, enrollment growth concentrated in fields tied to job demand. Black Hills State saw strength in business and health sciences. South Dakota Mines and Iowa State attracted students to engineering, technology, and science programs linked to manufacturing, energy, defense, and healthcare careers. This pattern shows students choosing majors based on visible employment prospects.
Universities of Wisconsin officials said their system aligned academic offerings with workforce needs as part of broader enrollment strategy. The shift reflects a buyer's market where students evaluate cost, career outcomes, and location carefully. Schools investing in these alignments are holding steady or growing, while those relying on older models face steeper declines.
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