SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO) – International students across the country have had increased encounters with ICE agents since President Donald Trump took office and started cracking down on immigration.
Over 2,200 international students attend public university in South Dakota and at least 250 attend a private higher institution in the state. All of these students are presumably on student visas in accordance with U.S. law.
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KELOLAND News reached out to the universities with the largest international student populations, USD, SDSU and Augustana, to get more information on the guidance they’re giving students during increased immigration concerns. We did not hear back.
All data is collected from the South Dakota Board of Regents 2025 Factbook unless otherwise stated.
SDSU
South Dakota State University had 826 international students for the fall 2024 semester. That is an increase of 17.7% from the previous year. Graduate international students grew by 7.8%. Students came to SDSU from 77 different countries.
USD
The University of South Dakota has 820 international students. In January 2023, only 405 attended the school, which was a jump from the 249 international students in 2022. USD international students represent more than 71 countries from around the world.
DSU
According to the Board of Regents 2025 Factbook, 279 international students attend Dakota State University. Compared to 2024, that’s up by 67 students. DSU has students from over 52 countries
Augustana
Augustana University has 250 international students from 54 different countries, according to a press release from the university. The top countries students come from include Ethiopia, China, Nepal, Brazil and Canada. Augustana increased their international student population by 79 in the last year.
South Dakota Mines
South Dakota Mines had 149 international students during the fall 2024 semester. That is only a slight increase from 128 the previous year. International students at SD Mines come from at least 35 countries.
NSU
Northern State University’s international student population is 106. The year prior, it was 65.
BHSU
Black Hills State University has 42 international students from 28 countries, according to the university’s fact sheet from January 2025. The BOR’s factbook, which gathers information from the fall 2024 semester, listed 53 international students.
