They adopted the following resolution: Be it resolved that we take immediate steps for the establishment of an institution among us and that we devote a suitable portion of time at each annual meeting of the consideration of this important subject and give our individual associated influence to encourage a more general and complete education of our youth under distinctly Christian influence.Under the name of Dakota Collegiate Institute, secondary and collegiate programs began on September 8, 1883.

Reuben P. Jeschke helped regain full, regional accreditation in 1958, and under his leadership enrollment grew from 378 in 1958 to 1,006 in 1968 – a 166 percent increase.

Time magazine featured the college's growth in 1967 with the caption "Seven Buildings in Seven Years" and the subtitle "But our stature comes from people".

), and a joint doctoral degree in leadership with the University of St. Thomas in Saint Paul, Minn. USF also offers adult education programs: accelerated nursing and RN-to-BSN.

In 2011, the university added the USF Sculpture Walk to its campus and publicly kicked off its fundraising campaign titled the Uncampaign that ran through 2020.

[3] USF offers more than 100 clubs, organizations and activities to join, 16 NCAA Division II varsity sports and a wide variety of service opportunities.

In addition, USF has weekly activities on campus such as Winter and Summer Olympics, monster golf, Pac Man competitions, speed dating and more.

Campus growth has been paramount since 1997, with the addition of new programs, the increase in enrollment and the expansion of USF's physical footprint.

The university is a member of the NCAA Division II ranks,[6] primarily competing in the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference (NSIC) since the 2012–13 academic year.

On April 28, 2009, the university board of trustees voted to leave the NAIA and apply to join the NCAA Division II ranks.