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

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

Starting Salary

$73K

COL-adjusted

Mid-Career

$89K

COL-adjusted

ROI Payback

2.4 yrs

in Sioux Falls

Cost of Living

108

index (100 = avg)

Nursing in Sioux Falls, SD Overview

Sioux Falls, South Dakota (pop. 192,517) has 10 colleges offering Nursing programs. The local cost of living index of 108 is near the national average, with average rent near campus at $929/month. Nursing has seen growing enrollment nationally, reflecting rising employer demand for Patient Care and Clinical Assessment skills. The adjusted starting salary in Sioux Falls is approximately $73,440.

Category

Healthcare

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%

Nursing 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)
$73,440(+$5,440 vs national)
Mid Career (5-9 yrs)
$88,560(+$6,560 vs national)
Senior Level (15+ yrs)
$102,600(+$7,600 vs national)

Note: National average Nursing salary: $68,000 starting, $82,000 mid-career, $95,000 senior level.Sioux Falls adjustment factor: 1.08x based on the local cost of living index.

Nursing ROI Calculator for Sioux Falls

Estimate your return on investment for a Nursing 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

$35,640

vs HS diploma in Sioux Falls

ROI Payback Period

2.4 years

to break even

Lifetime Return in Sioux Falls

$668,988

Lifetime earnings premium ($756,000) minus total education cost ($87,012)

Student Loan Payoff for Nursing in Sioux Falls

Standard Plan (10 years)

Loan Amount$87,012
Monthly Payment$988
Total Interest$31,548
% of Monthly Income16%

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 Nursing

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 Nursing in Sioux Falls

Sioux Falls offers opportunities in Hospitals, Medical centers, Private practices for Nursing graduates. National top employers in this field include:

HCA HealthcareKaiser PermanenteMayo ClinicCleveland ClinicVA Hospitals

Key Sioux Falls Hiring Sectors for Healthcare

Hospitals

Medical centers

Private practices

Health systems

Pharma companies

Common Nursing Job Titles

Registered NurseNurse PractitionerClinical Nurse Specialist

Nursing in Nearby South Dakota Cities

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

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