University of South Dakota School of Law Enrollments and Faculty Statistics
Class Size and Student Population
There are 252 students enrolled in University of South Dakota School of Law - all JD enrollment. The number of enrolled students decreased by 1 compared to last year. University of South Dakota School of Law is much smaller than other law schools compared to average number of students 737.
You can check enrollment trends at University of South Dakota School of Law Enrollment Trends page.
First-year Enrollment
In the academic year 2025-2026, 88 students newly enrolled to the law school - 43 men and 43 women.
The ratio of men to women among first-year enrolled students has increased from 0.72 in 2022 to 1 in 2026 academic year.
- 2022: 0.72 men for every 1 woman
- 2023: 1.72 men for every 1 woman
- 2024: 1.13 men for every 1 woman
- 2025: 0.75 men for every 1 woman
- 2026: 1 men for every 1 woman
The combined number of first-year enrolled students identifying as another gender or unknown has increased from 0 in 2022 to 2 in 2026 academic year.
| Applicants | Admitted | Enrolled | Pre-Admitted | Total First year Enrollment | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 Admission | 405 | 253 | 85 | 3 | 88 |
| Total | Men | Women | Another Gender | Unknown | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 79 | 33 | 46 | 0 | 0 |
| 2023 | 87 | 55 | 32 | 0 | 0 |
| 2024 | 85 | 45 | 40 | 0 | 0 |
| 2025 | 85 | 36 | 48 | 1 | 0 |
| 2026 | 88 | 43 | 43 | 0 | 2 |
Total Law Student Population
In the academic year 2025-2026, there are 252 law school students and all students enrolled in J.D. program at University of South Dakota School of Law.
You can compare University of South Dakota School of Law with law schools that have similar student population under 300
The following table and chart shows the changes of total student population by year at University of South Dakota School of Law.
| Total | JD Enrollment | Non-JD Enrollment | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 226 | 226 | - |
| 2023 | 221 | 221 | - |
| 2024 | 244 | 244 | - |
| 2025 | 253 | 253 | - |
| 2026 | 252 | 252 | - |
Student Diversity
The racial and ethnic composition of University of South Dakota School of Law reflects its commitment to diversity.
- Hispanics students comprise 5.16% of the student body.
- American Indian or Alaska Native students comprise 2.38% of the student body.
- Asian students comprise 2.38% of the student body.
- Black or African American students comprise 2.78% of the student body.
- Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander students comprise 0% of the student body.
- Multiracial students comprise 1.59% of the student body.
- White students comprise 82.94% of the student body.
Analyzing the racial composition, University of South Dakota School of Law demonstrates commitment to diversity across multiple groups. White students represent the largest group at 82.94%.
Among students of color, Hispanic students (5.16%), Black or African American students (2.78%), Asian students (2.38%) contribute significantly to campus diversity. White students comprise the largest portion at 82.94%, demonstrating limited diversity across racial and ethnic groups.
J.D. Enrollment by Race and Year
The following analysis shows how racial and ethnic diversity among J.D. students has evolved across class years. Over the course of their legal education, the representation of different racial and ethnic groups reflects the school's commitment to building an inclusive student body. The distribution of students across J.D. class years demonstrates trends in enrollment patterns and diversity metrics.
- Hispanics: a increasing trend across class years, with 6 (6.82%) in JD1, 4 (4.88%) in JD2, and 3 (3.66%) in JD3.
- American Indian or Alaska Native: fluctuating enrollment across class years, with 2 (2.27%) in JD1, 3 (3.66%) in JD2, and 1 (1.22%) in JD3.
- Asian: a increasing trend across class years, with 4 (4.55%) in JD1, 2 (2.44%) in JD2, and 0 in JD3.
- Black or African American: a decline followed by an increase across class years, with 3 (3.41%) in JD1, 0 in JD2, and 4 (4.88%) in JD3.
- Multiracial: fluctuating enrollment across class years, with 0 in JD1, 2 (2.44%) in JD2, and 2 (2.44%) in JD3.
- White: an declining trend across class years, with 71 (80.68%) in JD1, 68 (82.93%) in JD2, and 70 (85.37%) in JD3.
Overall, the distribution of students across J.D. class years demonstrates trends in enrollment patterns and diversity metrics. Analyzing these trends provides insight into the school's efforts to build an inclusive student body and foster a diverse educational environment.
| Total | JD1 | JD2 | JD3 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total | 252 | 88 | 82 | 82 |
| Hispanics | 13 (5.16%) | 6 (6.82%) | 4 (4.88%) | 3 (3.66%) |
| American Indian or Alaska Native | 6 (2.38%) | 2 (2.27%) | 3 (3.66%) | 1 (1.22%) |
| Asian | 6 (2.38%) | 4 (4.55%) | 2 (2.44%) | 0 |
| Black or African American | 7 (2.78%) | 3 (3.41%) | 0 | 4 (4.88%) |
| Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Multiracial | 4 (1.59%) | 0 | 2 (2.44%) | 2 (2.44%) |
| White | 209 (82.94%) | 71 (80.68%) | 68 (82.93%) | 70 (85.37%) |
| Unknown | 7 (2.78%) | 2 (2.27%) | 3 (3.66%) | 2 (2.44%) |
First-Year Enrollment by Race
For first-year law school students, the percentage of White students at University of South Dakota School of Law is 80.68%. The percentage of African-american students is 3.41% with 3 students and the percentage of Asian students is 4.55% with 4 students.
The following table visualize the student demographics by race/ethnicity and gender at University of South Dakota School of Law.
| Total | Men | Women | Another Gender | Unknown | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| American Indian / Alaska Native | 2 (2.27%) |
1 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| African-American / Black | 3 (3.41%) |
2 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Asian | 4 (4.55%) |
2 | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Native Hawaiian / Pacific Islander | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Hispanic | 6 (6.82%) |
1 | 5 | 0 | 0 |
| White | 71 (80.68%) |
35 | 34 | 0 | 2 |
| Two or More | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Race Unknown | 2 (2.27%) |
2 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
2026 Faculties & Staffs
55 faculties and 3 law librarians work for University of South Dakota School of Law. With the 252 law school students, its students to faculty ratio is 5 to 1.
Faculty & Staffs Summary and Comparison
| Faculties | Staffs | Students to Faculty | |
|---|---|---|---|
| University of South Dakota School of Law | 55 | 3 | 5 to 1 |
| All Law Schools | 141 | 7 | 6 to 1 |
| Public | 127 | 7 | 6 to 1 |
| Private | 152 | 7 | 6 to 1 |
Faculty by Gender and Job Type
By gender, there are 32 men (58.18%) and 23 women (41.82%) faculties teaching/advising students at Knudson Law. By employment status, 19 full-time and 36 part-time faculties work for the school.
| 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 | 2026 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total | 29 | 40 | 42 | 44 | 55 |
| Full-time | 19 | 20 | 21 | 20 | 19 |
| Men | 13 | 11 | 12 | 10 | 11 |
| Women | 6 | 9 | 9 | 10 | 8 |
| Other | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Part-time | 10 | 20 | 21 | 24 | 36 |
| Men | 6 | 9 | 12 | 15 | 21 |
| Women | 4 | 11 | 9 | 9 | 15 |
| Other | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Law School Librarians
Other than teaching faculties, 3 law librarians work and help the law school students and faculties at University of South Dakota School of Law.
| 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 | 2026 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Librarians | 4 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 3 |
| Full-time | 4 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 3 |
| Part-time | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Articles & Statistics for Law School Admission