Black Hills State University welcomed 574 first-time undergraduate and graduate students this fall, its largest combined incoming class since 2016.
The university’s total of 3,502 students is a five-year high, including 514 first-time undergraduate students, the largest incoming undergraduate class since Fall 2019.
"Welcoming our largest incoming class of first-time students in a decade is an exciting milestone for Black Hills State University," BHSU President Steve Elliott said. "It has been another year of momentum and purpose, and these results reflect the hard work of our faculty and staff as we continue to develop new academic programs that align with student interests and regional workforce needs. We look forward to sharing exciting new developments and partnerships that are positioning BHSU to advance state and national priorities, particularly in healthcare, sustainable systems, leadership, national security, and defense.”
Black Hills State University-Rapid City (BHSU-RC) showcased solid enrollment traction with 316 students this fall. The expansion of the West River Health Science Center at BHSU-RC has been instrumental in driving this growth, including a standout 17 percent surge in pre-professional healthcare program enrollment this year alone.
The addition of new specializations in agribusiness/ranch management and finance last fall, along with the revitalization of the Master of Business Administration degree into flexible online and accelerated options, demonstrates BHSU's commitment to meeting the needs of students and employers in the Black Hills region.
Several recently approved programs, including a new Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice, associate degrees in Education and Early Childhood Education, a Master of Science in STEM Education, a Business Analytics specialization, and a certificate in American Indian Studies, will further expand educational opportunities while aligning with regional workforce needs and student demand.
The South Dakota Board of Regents publishes enrollment numbers at the beginning of each academic year. For additional information, please contact info@sdbor.edu or visit sdbor.edu.