Animation & Game Design Degree in Sioux Falls, SD — Salary & ROI 2026
Animation & Game Design degree analysis for Sioux Falls, SD. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.
Starting Salary
$54K
COL-adjusted
Mid-Career
$89K
COL-adjusted
ROI Payback
5.4 yrs
in Sioux Falls
Cost of Living
108
index (100 = avg)
Animation & Game Design in Sioux Falls, SD Overview
Sioux Falls, South Dakota (pop. 192,517) has 10 colleges offering Animation & Game Design programs. The local cost of living index of 108 is near the national average, with average rent near campus at $929/month. Animation & Game Design has seen growing enrollment nationally, reflecting rising employer demand for 3D Animation and Character Design skills. The adjusted starting salary in Sioux Falls is approximately $54,000, growing to $88,560 by mid-career.
Category
Arts & Design
Local Colleges
10
Public Tuition
$11,703/yr
Private Tuition
$29,690/yr
Room & Board
$10,050/yr
Avg Fin. Aid
$7,473/yr
Unemployment
3.6%
Graduation Rate
67%
Animation & Game Design Salary in Sioux Falls (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Sioux Falls's cost of living index of 108 (national average = 100).
Note: National average Animation & Game Design salary: $50,000 starting, $82,000 mid-career, $100,000 senior level.Sioux Falls adjustment factor: 1.08x based on the local cost of living index.
Animation & Game Design ROI Calculator for Sioux Falls
Estimate your return on investment for a Animation & Game Design degree using local Sioux Falls tuition and cost of living data.
Public avg: $11,703 | Private avg: $29,690
Sioux Falls avg aid: $7,473/yr
Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%
Total Education Cost
$87,012
tuition + room & board - aid
Annual Earnings Premium
$16,200
vs HS diploma in Sioux Falls
ROI Payback Period
5.4 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in Sioux Falls
$474,588
Lifetime earnings premium ($561,600) minus total education cost ($87,012)
Student Loan Payoff for Animation & Game Design in Sioux Falls
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Sioux Falls for Animation & Game Design
Augustana University
private
$38,070/yr
$152,280 total
University of Sioux Falls
private
$21,310/yr
$85,240 total
Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)
Southeast Technical College
$5,250/yr
Top Employers for Animation & Game Design in Sioux Falls
Sioux Falls offers opportunities in Design agencies, Studios, Tech companies for Animation & Game Design graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key Sioux Falls Hiring Sectors for Arts & Design
Design agencies
Studios
Tech companies
Advertising firms
Media companies
Common Animation & Game Design Job Titles
Animation & Game Design in Nearby South Dakota Cities
Other Arts & Design Majors in Sioux Falls
UX Design
$54K starting · 3.2 yr ROI
Architecture
$63K starting · 5.5 yr ROI
Industrial Design
$54K starting · 4.8 yr ROI
Graphic Design
$52K starting · 5.5 yr ROI
Interior Design
$54K starting · 5.8 yr ROI
Fashion Design
$54K starting · 6.5 yr ROI
Film & Media Studies
$54K starting · 7.5 yr ROI
Fine Arts
$54K starting · 9 yr ROI
Animation & Game Design Degree in Sioux Falls — FAQ
Data Sources: Salary data from BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook. Cost of living from BLS Regional Data. College data from NCES/IPEDS. Updated March 2026.
Explore More
Compare Animation & Game Design ROI in other cities, or explore other majors in Sioux Falls.