DegreeCalc

Chemical Engineering Degree in Sioux Falls, SD — Salary & ROI 2026

Chemical Engineering degree analysis for Sioux Falls, SD. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.

Starting Salary

$89K

COL-adjusted

Mid-Career

$130K

COL-adjusted

ROI Payback

1.7 yrs

in Sioux Falls

Cost of Living

108

index (100 = avg)

Chemical Engineering in Sioux Falls, SD Overview

Sioux Falls, South Dakota (pop. 192,517) has 10 colleges offering Chemical Engineering programs. The local cost of living index of 108 is near the national average, with average rent near campus at $929/month. Chemical Engineering enrollment is stable nationwide, with steady demand for graduates skilled in Process Design and Thermodynamics. The adjusted starting salary in Sioux Falls is approximately $88,560.

Category

Engineering

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%

Chemical Engineering 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)
$88,560(+$6,560 vs national)
Mid Career (5-9 yrs)
$129,600(+$9,600 vs national)
Senior Level (15+ yrs)
$162,000(+$12,000 vs national)

Note: National average Chemical Engineering salary: $82,000 starting, $120,000 mid-career, $150,000 senior level.Sioux Falls adjustment factor: 1.08x based on the local cost of living index.

Chemical Engineering ROI Calculator for Sioux Falls

Estimate your return on investment for a Chemical Engineering 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

$50,760

vs HS diploma in Sioux Falls

ROI Payback Period

1.7 years

to break even

Lifetime Return in Sioux Falls

$1,046,988

Lifetime earnings premium ($1,134,000) minus total education cost ($87,012)

Student Loan Payoff for Chemical Engineering in Sioux Falls

Standard Plan (10 years)

Loan Amount$87,012
Monthly Payment$988
Total Interest$31,548
% of Monthly Income13%

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 Chemical Engineering

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 Chemical Engineering in Sioux Falls

Sioux Falls offers opportunities in Engineering firms, Manufacturing, Defense contractors for Chemical Engineering graduates. National top employers in this field include:

ExxonMobilDow ChemicalBASFChevron3M

Key Sioux Falls Hiring Sectors for Engineering

Engineering firms

Manufacturing

Defense contractors

Energy companies

Construction firms

Common Chemical Engineering Job Titles

Chemical EngineerProcess EngineerPlant Manager

Chemical Engineering in Nearby South Dakota Cities

Chemical Engineering 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 Chemical Engineering ROI in other cities, or explore other majors in Sioux Falls.

Frequently Asked Questions

Related Calculators