DegreeCalc

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).

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$56,160(+$4,160 vs national)
Mid Career (5-9 yrs)
$77,760(+$5,760 vs national)
Senior Level (15+ yrs)
$102,600(+$7,600 vs national)

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)

Loan Amount$87,012
Monthly Payment$988
Total Interest$31,548
% of Monthly Income21%

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 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:

PR firmsMedia companiesCorporate commsNonprofits

Key Sioux Falls Hiring Sectors for Social Science

Tech companies

Research labs

Government agencies

Startups

Consulting firms

Common Communication Studies Job Titles

Communications ManagerPR SpecialistMedia Planner

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.

Frequently Asked Questions

Related Calculators