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

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

Starting Salary

$59K

COL-adjusted

Mid-Career

$92K

COL-adjusted

ROI Payback

4 yrs

in Sioux Falls

Cost of Living

108

index (100 = avg)

Chemistry in Sioux Falls, SD Overview

Sioux Falls, South Dakota (pop. 192,517) has 10 colleges offering Chemistry 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 Chemistry has been declining, graduates with skills in Organic Chemistry and Analytical Chemistry remain competitive in the job market. The adjusted starting salary in Sioux Falls is approximately $59,400, growing to $91,800 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%

Chemistry 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)
$59,400(+$4,400 vs national)
Mid Career (5-9 yrs)
$91,800(+$6,800 vs national)
Senior Level (15+ yrs)
$118,800(+$8,800 vs national)

Note: National average Chemistry salary: $55,000 starting, $85,000 mid-career, $110,000 senior level.Sioux Falls adjustment factor: 1.08x based on the local cost of living index.

Chemistry ROI Calculator for Sioux Falls

Estimate your return on investment for a Chemistry 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

$21,600

vs HS diploma in Sioux Falls

ROI Payback Period

4 years

to break even

Lifetime Return in Sioux Falls

$506,988

Lifetime earnings premium ($594,000) minus total education cost ($87,012)

Student Loan Payoff for Chemistry in Sioux Falls

Standard Plan (10 years)

Loan Amount$87,012
Monthly Payment$988
Total Interest$31,548
% of Monthly Income20%

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 Chemistry

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 Chemistry in Sioux Falls

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

PfizerDow ChemicalBASF3MMerck

Key Sioux Falls Hiring Sectors for STEM

Tech companies

Research labs

Government agencies

Startups

Consulting firms

Common Chemistry Job Titles

ChemistLab TechnicianQuality Control Analyst

Chemistry in Nearby South Dakota Cities

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

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