Southern Utah University is seeing steady growth as it prepares to open registration for the spring 2026 semester. According to third-week enrollment data released by the Utah System of Higher Education, SUU’s student population reached nearly 16,000 students— a 2.47% increase from last fall.
Contributing to this growth is the university’s online program, which serves over 3000 students and a 4.67% increase in incoming and transfer students.
“These strong enrollment numbers demonstrate that SUU is effectively meeting the evolving educational needs of our state,” said SUU President Mindy Benson. “We aren’t just counting heads; we’re demonstrating our ability to deliver flexible, high-quality pathways that make college accessible to every Utahn, from high school students to working professionals, ensuring we continue to grow the talent pool that powers our future economy.”
The growth is reflected in career outcomes, with 97.3% of recent master’s program graduates being employed. Kayla Schaugaard, a 2025 alumna with degrees in construction management and engineering technology, secured full-time employment shortly after graduation.
“SUU truly helped prepare me for this career,” explained Schaugaard. “The Construction Management program gave me valuable hands-on experience on job sites and connected me with internships early on.”
Schaugaard currently works full-time as a project engineer for Layton Construction on the Iron County Jail project in Cedar City.
“Those opportunities not only helped me realize that construction management was the right path for me, but also gave me the confidence and preparation I needed to succeed,” she added.
Additional enrollment highlights:
- 27.4% of students are first-generation
- SUU’s student body represents all 29 counties in Utah, all 50 U.S. states and 87 countries.
- The average undergraduate class size remains small, with 19.8 students in each class.
“These numbers aren’t just statistics; they’re proof of the deliberate and personalized experience SUU works to deliver every day,” said Brandon Wright, associate vice president for enrollment. “Our commitment is simple: we ensure that as SUU grows, the quality of mentorship, the access to resources and the small-class feel remain the priority.”
Offering a wide range of undergraduate, graduate, doctorate and certificate programs, SUU provides hands-on, career-focused learning to prepare students for the future.
For more information on upcoming spring 2026 registration, visit the Registrar’s Office website or suunews.net.
Author: Fanny Felixine
Editor: Briar Adams
Photos courtesy of SUU
life@suunews.net
