This annual report provides a variety of information about the state of higher education in South Dakota. The bulk of the report consists of tables and charts that summarize: (1) the structure of the South Dakota Board of Regents; (2) the institutional missions of the state's six state universities and two special schools; (3) admission requirements; (4) operating budgets and mean budgeted salaries; (5) historical tuition rates from 1971 through 1997; (6) student financial aid programs; (7) average financial aid awards; (8) student loan default rates; (9) 1996 Fall term enrollment data; (10) plans of South Dakota high school graduates from 1973 through 1996; (11) projections of South Dakota high school graduates from 1997 to 2009; (12) student geographic distribution and enrollment; (13) campus crime rates; (14) special schools profiles; (15) faculty profiles by university, salaries, and turnover rates; (16) student-faculty ratios; (17) degrees awarded and degree trends from 1989 through 1996; (18) data on physical plant; and (19) regional comparisons with state support, student charges, faculty salaries, and enrollment. (MDM)