SMSU Reports Enrollment Decline for Fall 2026

Published Thursday, October 15, 2026

SMSU Horse Statues at the Event Center

Southwest Minnesota State University (SMSU) reports Fall 2026 enrollment of 8,300 students, including 2,490 undergraduate students, 476 graduate students, and 5,270 College Now and PSEO concurrent-enrolled students. Based on 30-day enrollment data, SMSU fell short of last year's record enrollment levels.

Undergraduate enrollment held relatively steady while graduate enrollment dropped 12%, and international enrollment fell 15.2%, from 132 in Fall 2025 to 112 in Fall 2026. Overall enrollment is down 2.8% from last year. As of the 30th-day numbers, 64 non-degree-seeking students are taking classes, bringing total enrollment to 8,300.

Following a period of sustained enrollment growth that led to record enrollment in Fall 2025, SMSU anticipated the possibility of a slight decline amid broader demographic and higher education enrollment challenges. While SMSU saw a decrease this year, the university remains well-positioned after years of sustained growth and continues to rank among the largest and fastest-growing universities in the Minnesota State system.

"After achieving record enrollment last year, we anticipated that maintaining that pace would be challenging," said Dr. David P. Jones, President of SMSU. "Although we experienced a modest decline this fall, we are not alone in seeing enrollment pressures. Many colleges and universities are facing similar challenges. We remain focused on serving our students, strengthening recruitment efforts, and building on the momentum and success SMSU has achieved over the past several years."

SMSU continues to invest in academic programs, student support services, and outreach initiatives designed to meet the needs of current and future students. The university remains committed to providing an accessible, high-quality education while advancing strategic enrollment efforts for Fall 2027.

For more information about SMSU and its programs, visit SMSU.edu. Southwest Minnesota State University is a member of the Minnesota State system. SMSU is an equal opportunity educator and employer and is committed to providing an accessible learning environment for all students.