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

Astronomy 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

$95K

COL-adjusted

ROI Payback

5.4 yrs

in Sioux Falls

Cost of Living

108

index (100 = avg)

Astronomy in Sioux Falls, SD Overview

Sioux Falls, South Dakota (pop. 192,517) has 10 colleges offering Astronomy programs. The local cost of living index of 108 is near the national average, with average rent near campus at $929/month. Astronomy enrollment is stable nationwide, with steady demand for graduates skilled in Astrophysics and Telescope Operation. The adjusted starting salary in Sioux Falls is approximately $54,000, growing to $95,040 by mid-career.

Category

STEM

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%

Astronomy 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)
$95,040(+$7,040 vs national)
Senior Level (15+ yrs)
$118,800(+$8,800 vs national)

Note: National average Astronomy salary: $50,000 starting, $88,000 mid-career, $110,000 senior level.Sioux Falls adjustment factor: 1.08x based on the local cost of living index.

Astronomy ROI Calculator for Sioux Falls

Estimate your return on investment for a Astronomy 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

$452,988

Lifetime earnings premium ($540,000) minus total education cost ($87,012)

Student Loan Payoff for Astronomy 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 Astronomy

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 Astronomy in Sioux Falls

Sioux Falls offers opportunities in Tech companies, Research labs, Government agencies for Astronomy graduates. National top employers in this field include:

NASASpaceXJPLNOAANational Observatories

Key Sioux Falls Hiring Sectors for STEM

Tech companies

Research labs

Government agencies

Startups

Consulting firms

Common Astronomy Job Titles

AstronomerResearch ScientistData Analyst

Astronomy in Nearby South Dakota Cities

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

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