Enrollment grows as NDSU's strategic changes reshape the future

North Dakota State University is seeing a first-day enrollment increase this fall, welcoming 11,954 students, a one percent increase compared to the same day last year when enrollment was stabilizing. This includes a three percent increase in first-time freshman, a three percent increase in transfer students, and a one percent increase in graduate enrollment.

While official enrollment will be finalized on census day, Sept. 22, the early numbers offer a glimpse into the impact of recent initiatives and the energy surrounding the start of the academic year.

“This increase is more than a number - it reflects the opportunities students find at NDSU, and the strength of the Herd they join from day one,” said NDSU President David Cook.

The enrollment growth follows years of intentional work to strengthen NDSU’s academic and operational foundation. The university has made difficult but necessary decisions regarding academic programming to better align with student demand and workforce needs. These efforts reflect a broader strategy to ensure long-term sustainability and collective work to support student success and strengthen recruitment efforts.

NDSU saw a three percent increase in engineering students this fall. That progress is expected to continue next year with the opening of the $100 million Offerdahl Complex, a state-of-the-art facility designed to support hands-on learning, interdisciplinary collaboration, and cutting-edge research. The complex will be ready for students in fall 2026 and represents a major investment in the future of engineering education at NDSU.

The university also saw a 60 percent increase in online-only students and a 55 percent increase in new undergraduate international students. Scheduled credit hours rose slightly to 154,560, and the overall student body remains 80 percent full-time and 20 percent part-time, consistent with last year.

Seinquis Leinen, senior director for strategic enrollment management, noted that the increase is the result of several strategic efforts.

“We’ve increased scholarship opportunities for incoming students, built stronger partnerships with K–12 schools to offer dual credit and college readiness programs, expanded grassroots recruitment, begun construction of new state-of-the-art facilities, invested in enhanced student support such as professional advising, and launched a refreshed brand and website that showcase the NDSU experience for future Bison,” she said.

This fall, 4,075 students are living on campus in residence halls and university apartments, contributing to a vibrant and engaged campus community.

NDSU graduated 200 more students in 2024–25 than the previous academic year, contributing to a growing presence of Bison alumni in the workforce. These graduates are helping meet critical workforce needs across the state in fields like healthcare, engineering, education and agriculture, reinforcing NDSU’s role as North Dakota’s land-grant institution and a key driver of talent development and economic vitality.

As the semester begins, NDSU continues to live out its mission as a student-focused, land-grant, research university that serves our citizens. Through access to education, hands-on discovery, and a strong sense of community, students are empowered to shape the future.