SMSU Enrollment Sets New High

Published Friday, October 10, 2025

SMSU Students at the Welcome Walkway

Southwest Minnesota State University (SMSU) is pleased to announce a remarkable increase in enrollment numbers for Fall 2025. The 30th-Day enrollment data show that Southwest Minnesota State University proudly supports 8,507 enrolled students, comprised of 2,533 undergraduate students, 532 graduate students, and 5,442 College Now concurrent enrolled students.

This year’s total enrollment number is the highest in institutional history. This upward trend showcases SMSU's commitment to providing affordable, accessible, high-quality education, and highlights the growing appeal of SMSU among prospective students.

The total undergraduate degree-seeking students grew 7.7% compared to Fall 2024. Graduate enrollment grew 10.1% over Fall 2024. The College Now Program, SMSU’s concurrent enrollment program for high school students, increased by 10.7% since last fall. The overall enrollment growth rallied by 9.4% since Fall 2024 as well.

An area of notable growth for SMSU is the total international student enrollment, which grew by an impressive 25.7% over Fall 2024, showcasing SMSU's on-going commitment to supporting students from Minnesota and around the globe.

“We appreciate the strong recruitment efforts and the contributions from our dedicated faculty and staff. As we welcomed our students for the Fall 2025 semester, we could sense a new level of energy on campus. We are incredibly excited about the growth and vitality of our campus community," said Dr. David P. Jones, Interim President at SMSU. "This increase in enrollment is a testament to the quality of education and the inclusive environment we foster here at SMSU."

For more information about SMSU and our programs, please visit our website at www.smsu.edu. Interested students are encouraged to apply to SMSU for free in October during Minnesota State month.

Opened in 1967, Southwest Minnesota State University is a member of the Minnesota State System. SMSU is an equal opportunity educator and employer. SMSU is committed to providing an accessible learning environment for all students.