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Food Science Degree in Sioux Falls, SD — Salary & ROI 2026

Food Science degree analysis for Sioux Falls, SD. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.

Starting Salary

$54K

COL-adjusted

Mid-Career

$84K

COL-adjusted

ROI Payback

5.4 yrs

in Sioux Falls

Cost of Living

108

index (100 = avg)

Food Science in Sioux Falls, SD Overview

Sioux Falls, South Dakota (pop. 192,517) has 10 colleges offering Food Science programs. The local cost of living index of 108 is near the national average, with average rent near campus at $929/month. Food Science enrollment is stable nationwide, with steady demand for graduates skilled in Food Safety and Food Processing. The adjusted starting salary in Sioux Falls is approximately $54,000, growing to $84,240 by mid-career.

Category

STEM

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%

Food Science 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)
$54,000(+$4,000 vs national)
Mid Career (5-9 yrs)
$84,240(+$6,240 vs national)
Senior Level (15+ yrs)
$102,600(+$7,600 vs national)

Note: National average Food Science salary: $50,000 starting, $78,000 mid-career, $95,000 senior level.Sioux Falls adjustment factor: 1.08x based on the local cost of living index.

Food Science ROI Calculator for Sioux Falls

Estimate your return on investment for a Food Science 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

$16,200

vs HS diploma in Sioux Falls

ROI Payback Period

5.4 years

to break even

Lifetime Return in Sioux Falls

$431,388

Lifetime earnings premium ($518,400) minus total education cost ($87,012)

Student Loan Payoff for Food Science in Sioux Falls

Standard Plan (10 years)

Loan Amount$87,012
Monthly Payment$988
Total Interest$31,548
% of Monthly Income22%

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 Food Science

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 Food Science in Sioux Falls

Sioux Falls offers opportunities in Tech companies, Research labs, Government agencies for Food Science graduates. National top employers in this field include:

PepsiCoNestléGeneral MillsKraft HeinzFDA

Key Sioux Falls Hiring Sectors for STEM

Tech companies

Research labs

Government agencies

Startups

Consulting firms

Common Food Science Job Titles

Food ScientistQuality Assurance ManagerProduct Developer

Food Science in Nearby South Dakota Cities

Food Science 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 Food Science ROI in other cities, or explore other majors in Sioux Falls.

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