DegreeCalc

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).

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$56,160(+$4,160 vs national)
Mid Career (5-9 yrs)
$81,000(+$6,000 vs national)
Senior Level (15+ yrs)
$108,000(+$8,000 vs national)

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)

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 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:

Nature ConservancyWWFUSFWSNational Parks

Key Sioux Falls Hiring Sectors for Science

Tech companies

Research labs

Government agencies

Startups

Consulting firms

Common Conservation Biology Job Titles

Conservation BiologistWildlife ManagerEnvironmental Consultant

Conservation Biology in Nearby South Dakota Cities

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.

Frequently Asked Questions

Related Calculators