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Archaeology Degree in Sioux Falls, SD — Salary & ROI 2026

Archaeology 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

$59K

COL-adjusted

ROI Payback

5.4 yrs

in Sioux Falls

Cost of Living

108

index (100 = avg)

Archaeology in Sioux Falls, SD Overview

Sioux Falls, South Dakota (pop. 192,517) has 10 colleges offering Archaeology programs. The local cost of living index of 108 is near the national average, with average rent near campus at $929/month. Although national enrollment in Archaeology has been declining, graduates with skills in Excavation and Artifact Analysis remain competitive in the job market. The adjusted starting salary in Sioux Falls is approximately $54,000.

Category

Social Sciences

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%

Archaeology Salary in Sioux Falls (COL-Adjusted)

Salaries adjusted for Sioux Falls's cost of living index of 108 (national average = 100).

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$54,000(+$4,000 vs national)
Mid Career (5-9 yrs)
$59,400(+$4,400 vs national)
Senior Level (15+ yrs)
$73,440(+$5,440 vs national)

Note: National average Archaeology salary: $50,000 starting, $55,000 mid-career, $68,000 senior level.Sioux Falls adjustment factor: 1.08x based on the local cost of living index.

Archaeology ROI Calculator for Sioux Falls

Estimate your return on investment for a Archaeology 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

$107,388

Lifetime earnings premium ($194,400) minus total education cost ($87,012)

Student Loan Payoff for Archaeology in Sioux Falls

Standard Plan (10 years)

Loan Amount$87,012
Monthly Payment$988
Total Interest$31,548
% of Monthly Income22%

Aggressive Plan (5 years)

Loan Amount$87,012
Monthly Payment$1,702
Total Interest$15,137
Interest Savings$16,411

Colleges in Sioux Falls for Archaeology

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 Archaeology in Sioux Falls

Sioux Falls offers opportunities in Government agencies, Non-profits, Research institutes for Archaeology graduates. National top employers in this field include:

CRM FirmsMuseumsNational Park ServiceUniversitiesGovernment

Key Sioux Falls Hiring Sectors for Social Sciences

Government agencies

Non-profits

Research institutes

Social services

Consulting

Common Archaeology Job Titles

ArchaeologistCRM SpecialistMuseum CuratorField Director

Archaeology in Nearby South Dakota Cities

Archaeology 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 Archaeology ROI in other cities, or explore other majors in Sioux Falls.

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