Communication Studies Degree in Sioux Falls, SD — Salary & ROI 2026
Communication Studies 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
$78K
COL-adjusted
ROI Payback
4.7 yrs
in Sioux Falls
Cost of Living
108
index (100 = avg)
Communication Studies in Sioux Falls, SD Overview
Sioux Falls, South Dakota (pop. 192,517) has 10 colleges offering Communication Studies programs. The local cost of living index of 108 is near the national average, with average rent near campus at $929/month. Communication Studies enrollment is stable nationwide, with steady demand for graduates skilled in Public Speaking and Media Analysis. The adjusted starting salary in Sioux Falls is approximately $56,160.
Category
Social 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%
Communication Studies Salary in Sioux Falls (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Sioux Falls's cost of living index of 108 (national average = 100).
Note: National average Communication Studies salary: $52,000 starting, $72,000 mid-career, $95,000 senior level.Sioux Falls adjustment factor: 1.08x based on the local cost of living index.
Communication Studies ROI Calculator for Sioux Falls
Estimate your return on investment for a Communication Studies 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
$776,988
Lifetime earnings premium ($864,000) minus total education cost ($87,012)
Student Loan Payoff for Communication Studies in Sioux Falls
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Sioux Falls for Communication Studies
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 Communication Studies in Sioux Falls
Sioux Falls offers opportunities in Tech companies, Research labs, Government agencies for Communication Studies graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key Sioux Falls Hiring Sectors for Social Science
Tech companies
Research labs
Government agencies
Startups
Consulting firms
Common Communication Studies Job Titles
Communication Studies in Nearby South Dakota Cities
Other Social Science Majors in Sioux Falls
Communication Studies 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 Communication Studies ROI in other cities, or explore other majors in Sioux Falls.