DegreeCalc

Journalism Degree in Sioux Falls, SD — Salary & ROI 2026

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

Starting Salary

$48K

COL-adjusted

Mid-Career

$67K

COL-adjusted

ROI Payback

9 yrs

in Sioux Falls

Cost of Living

108

index (100 = avg)

Journalism in Sioux Falls, SD Overview

Sioux Falls, South Dakota (pop. 192,517) has 10 colleges offering Journalism programs. The local cost of living index of 108 is near the national average, with average rent near campus at $929/month. Although national enrollment in Journalism has been declining, graduates with skills in Reporting and Investigative Journalism remain competitive in the job market. The adjusted starting salary in Sioux Falls is approximately $47,520.

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%

Journalism 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)
$47,520(+$3,520 vs national)
Mid Career (5-9 yrs)
$66,960(+$4,960 vs national)
Senior Level (15+ yrs)
$84,240(+$6,240 vs national)

Note: National average Journalism salary: $44,000 starting, $62,000 mid-career, $78,000 senior level.Sioux Falls adjustment factor: 1.08x based on the local cost of living index.

Journalism ROI Calculator for Sioux Falls

Estimate your return on investment for a Journalism 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

$9,720

vs HS diploma in Sioux Falls

ROI Payback Period

9 years

to break even

Lifetime Return in Sioux Falls

$215,388

Lifetime earnings premium ($302,400) minus total education cost ($87,012)

Student Loan Payoff for Journalism in Sioux Falls

Standard Plan (10 years)

Loan Amount$87,012
Monthly Payment$988
Total Interest$31,548
% of Monthly Income25%

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 Journalism

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 Journalism in Sioux Falls

Sioux Falls offers opportunities in Media companies, PR agencies, Tech companies for Journalism graduates. National top employers in this field include:

New York TimesWashington PostReutersCNNAP

Key Sioux Falls Hiring Sectors for Communications

Media companies

PR agencies

Tech companies

Marketing firms

Publishing

Common Journalism Job Titles

ReporterEditorNews ProducerInvestigative Journalist

Journalism in Nearby South Dakota Cities

Journalism 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 Journalism ROI in other cities, or explore other majors in Sioux Falls.

Frequently Asked Questions

Related Calculators