Communications Degree in Sioux Falls, SD — Salary & ROI 2026
Communications degree analysis for Sioux Falls, SD. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.
Starting Salary
$50K
COL-adjusted
Mid-Career
$76K
COL-adjusted
ROI Payback
7.3 yrs
in Sioux Falls
Cost of Living
108
index (100 = avg)
Communications in Sioux Falls, SD Overview
Sioux Falls, South Dakota (pop. 192,517) has 10 colleges offering Communications programs. The local cost of living index of 108 is near the national average, with average rent near campus at $929/month. Communications enrollment is stable nationwide, with steady demand for graduates skilled in Public Speaking and Writing. The adjusted starting salary in Sioux Falls is approximately $49,680, growing to $75,600 by mid-career.
Category
Communications
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%
Communications Salary in Sioux Falls (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Sioux Falls's cost of living index of 108 (national average = 100).
Note: National average Communications salary: $46,000 starting, $70,000 mid-career, $88,000 senior level.Sioux Falls adjustment factor: 1.08x based on the local cost of living index.
Communications ROI Calculator for Sioux Falls
Estimate your return on investment for a Communications 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
$11,880
vs HS diploma in Sioux Falls
ROI Payback Period
7.3 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in Sioux Falls
$323,388
Lifetime earnings premium ($410,400) minus total education cost ($87,012)
Student Loan Payoff for Communications in Sioux Falls
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Sioux Falls for Communications
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 Communications in Sioux Falls
Sioux Falls offers opportunities in Media companies, PR agencies, Tech companies for Communications graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key Sioux Falls Hiring Sectors for Communications
Media companies
PR agencies
Tech companies
Marketing firms
Publishing
Common Communications Job Titles
Communications in Nearby South Dakota Cities
Other Communications Majors in Sioux Falls
Communications 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 Communications ROI in other cities, or explore other majors in Sioux Falls.