Conservation Biology Degree in Sioux Falls, SD — Salary & ROI 2026
Conservation Biology 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
$81K
COL-adjusted
ROI Payback
4.7 yrs
in Sioux Falls
Cost of Living
108
index (100 = avg)
Conservation Biology in Sioux Falls, SD Overview
Sioux Falls, South Dakota (pop. 192,517) has 10 colleges offering Conservation Biology programs. The local cost of living index of 108 is near the national average, with average rent near campus at $929/month. Conservation Biology has seen growing enrollment nationally, reflecting rising employer demand for Ecology and GIS skills. The adjusted starting salary in Sioux Falls is approximately $56,160.
Category
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%
Conservation Biology Salary in Sioux Falls (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Sioux Falls's cost of living index of 108 (national average = 100).
Note: National average Conservation Biology salary: $52,000 starting, $75,000 mid-career, $100,000 senior level.Sioux Falls adjustment factor: 1.08x based on the local cost of living index.
Conservation Biology ROI Calculator for Sioux Falls
Estimate your return on investment for a Conservation Biology 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
$42,588
Lifetime earnings premium ($129,600) minus total education cost ($87,012)
Student Loan Payoff for Conservation Biology in Sioux Falls
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Sioux Falls for Conservation Biology
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 Conservation Biology in Sioux Falls
Sioux Falls offers opportunities in Tech companies, Research labs, Government agencies for Conservation Biology graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key Sioux Falls Hiring Sectors for Science
Tech companies
Research labs
Government agencies
Startups
Consulting firms
Common Conservation Biology Job Titles
Conservation Biology in Nearby South Dakota Cities
Other Science Majors in Sioux Falls
Conservation Biology 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 Conservation Biology ROI in other cities, or explore other majors in Sioux Falls.