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Meet the University of South Dakota

The University of South Dakota, known as USD, is 27 years older than South Dakota itself. Established in 1862, the flagship university of the state is consistently ranked among the top colleges in the nation by U.S. News & World Report, The Princeton Review, National Jurist Magazine, and other relevant publications.

With creative and research opportunities across all disciplines, USD offers a variety of experiences that foster academic excellence and growth. Students join research teams as early as their first or second year at USD, earn grants, and present at national conferences. As the home of South Dakota’s only medical and law school and the impressive National Music Museum, USD offers a diverse, large university experience in a rural setting with an intimate college vibe.

QUICK LOOK

  • Vermillion, South Dakota
  • Founded 1862
  • 7,590 Undergrad Enrollment
  • South Dakota’s Only Medical and Law School
  • 51% Graduation Rate
  • 16:1 Student to Teacher Ratio

Meet the University of South Dakota

The University of South Dakota, known as USD, is 27 years older than South Dakota itself. Established in 1862, the flagship university of the state is consistently ranked among the top colleges in the nation by U.S. News & World Report, The Princeton Review, National Jurist Magazine, and other relevant publications.

With creative and research opportunities across all disciplines, USD offers a variety of experiences that foster academic excellence and growth. Students join research teams as early as their first or second year at USD, earn grants, and present at national conferences. As the home of South Dakota’s only medical and law school and the impressive National Music Museum, USD offers a diverse, large university experience in a rural setting with an intimate college vibe.

QUICK LOOK

  • Vermillion, South Dakota
  • Founded 1862
  • 7,590 Undergrad Enrollment
  • South Dakota’s only medical and law school
  • 51% graduation rate
  • 16:1 student to teacher ratio

THE GOAL

USD wanted to increase online enrollment for their 12 distance education degrees offered online and face-to-face at two remote university centers by bringing a new focus to their unique student experience.

THE CHALLENGE

Increasing online enrollment was the main goal, but USD wanted to continue to grow without raising overall costs and maintaining or even decreasing cost per acquisitions. Visitors and leads on their web properties were close to stagnant and sometimes in decline.

THE SOLUTION

Sextant Marketing teamed up with USD to help increase their online enrollments. Together we developed and managed a Digital Marketing Strategy to create lead generation for USD’s suite of online degrees as well as for their satellite campus locations that offer traditional courses throughout the state.

THE PROBLEM

Increasing online enrollment was the main goal, but USD wanted to continue to grow without raising overall costs and maintaining or even decreasing cost per acquisitions. Visitors and leads on their web properties were close to stagnant and sometimes in decline.

THE SOLUTION

Sextant Marketing teamed up with USD to help increase their online enrollments. Together we developed and managed a Digital Marketing Strategy to create lead generation for USD’s suite of online degrees as well as for their satellite campus locations that offer traditional courses throughout the state.

How we did it

Sextant Marketing believes in the power of education and in the promise that we make to each of our partners. And we believe in manifesting that promise through custom solutions with clear results at a lower cost. Based on a thorough audit of USD’s marketing and admissions processes, Sextant and USD partnered to create a new tech-enabled digital strategy intended to convert more students while keeping the cost low enough for USD to succeed in a competitive market.

New Digital Strategy

Sextant Marketing helped develop a new digital marketing strategy and worked with USD’s recruitment team to provide improvements in internal processes and recruitment. We helped USD chart a new course and create a renewed focus on their unparalleled student experience.

Sextant Marketing closely examined USD’s existing marketing efforts and admissions processes, evaluating all touchpoints to develop a holistic SWOT of the student experience from which to build upon. This highlighted strengths and weaknesses, enabling the creation of a more efficient marketing and enrollment engine to power USD forward in the digital sphere.

Both upper and lower funnel media tactics were expanded and the lead nurturing strategy was refreshed. The focus was turned to online efforts, improving user experience and lead capture on the usd.edu/usd-online website while implementing a more robust SEO strategy.

Sextant Helped Develop:

Campaign Creative, Digital Assets, Micro-site, Lead Form, Banner Ads, Media Placement, SEO/Social Engagements

The Results

The results have been striking, surpassing USD’s largest in-state competitor for the first time.

11.5%

Year 1 Enrollment Increase

19%

Total Enrollment Increase

Now let's get you there

    11.5% Year 1 EnrollmentIncrease

    19% Total EnrollmentIncrease