SMSU's Enrollment is Up Again in Fall 2024

Published Tuesday, September 10, 2024

SMSU enrollment is up again!

Southwest Minnesota State University announced the Day-10 enrollment statistics showing growth in almost all demographics. With overall enrollment growing for SMSU, the total headcount is 2,907 for Fall 2024, up 14.9% from the previous year, and the highest enrollment at the university in 14 years.

Overall, new entering students, including first-years, transfers, and those with a previous degree, increased to 879 students, an incredible 23.3% spike over the past year. SMSU’s FYE, or full-year equivalent, is up 12.5% from Fall 2023 as well.

SMSU welcomed 388 new first-year students to campus this fall, an increase of 5.4 percent over last year’s class.  The residence hall occupancy increased by nearly 10% over Fall 2023.

“We are incredibly proud of the growth we are seeing this fall,” said SMSU President Kumara Jayasuriya. “There are many reasons students are choosing SMSU, among them are the support services, the engaging campus environment, our high-quality academics, and the incredible value in a degree from SMSU.”

SMSU’s undergraduate student retention increased to 73.4% which contributed to overall enrollment growth. The data shows that SMSU is the fastest-growing four-year institution in the Minnesota State system. Access Opportunity Success, the Mustang Pathway Program, and the Success Program are all dedicated to supporting students from historically underserved populations.

“This growth is due in great part to investments and efforts across campus. I thank all of our staff and faculty for the hard work they do every day,” said Jayasuriya. “An engaging, inclusive student-centered environment is the foundation of our institutional mission, vision, and values. We are growing because we continue to stay focused on our guiding principles.”

 “We know who we are and that resonates with prospective and current students,” Jayasuriya continued. “Students are at the heart of everything we do and this amazing growth tells us we’re doing things right for our students.”

The Day-10 headcounts are a significant marker for enrollment, as students historically persist through the completion of the term. Concurrent enrollment, or PSEO, is excluded from all day-10 data sets.