Aquatic Biology Degree in Sioux Falls, SD — Salary & ROI 2026
Aquatic Biology degree analysis for Sioux Falls, SD. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.
Starting Salary
$56K
COL-adjusted
Mid-Career
$81K
COL-adjusted
ROI Payback
4.7 yrs
in Sioux Falls
Cost of Living
108
index (100 = avg)
Aquatic Biology in Sioux Falls, SD Overview
Sioux Falls, South Dakota (pop. 192,517) has 10 colleges offering Aquatic Biology programs. The local cost of living index of 108 is near the national average, with average rent near campus at $929/month. Aquatic Biology has seen growing enrollment nationally, reflecting rising employer demand for Ecology and Water Quality skills. The adjusted starting salary in Sioux Falls is approximately $56,160.
Category
Science
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%
Aquatic Biology Salary in Sioux Falls (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Sioux Falls's cost of living index of 108 (national average = 100).
Note: National average Aquatic Biology salary: $52,000 starting, $75,000 mid-career, $100,000 senior level.Sioux Falls adjustment factor: 1.08x based on the local cost of living index.
Aquatic Biology ROI Calculator for Sioux Falls
Estimate your return on investment for a Aquatic Biology 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
$18,360
vs HS diploma in Sioux Falls
ROI Payback Period
4.7 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in Sioux Falls
$128,988
Lifetime earnings premium ($216,000) minus total education cost ($87,012)
Student Loan Payoff for Aquatic Biology in Sioux Falls
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Sioux Falls for Aquatic Biology
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 Aquatic Biology in Sioux Falls
Sioux Falls offers opportunities in Tech companies, Research labs, Government agencies for Aquatic Biology graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key Sioux Falls Hiring Sectors for Science
Tech companies
Research labs
Government agencies
Startups
Consulting firms
Common Aquatic Biology Job Titles
Aquatic Biology in Nearby South Dakota Cities
Other Science Majors in Sioux Falls
Aquatic Biology 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 Aquatic Biology ROI in other cities, or explore other majors in Sioux Falls.