Political Science Degree in Sioux Falls, SD — Salary & ROI 2026
Political Science degree analysis for Sioux Falls, SD. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.
Starting Salary
$52K
COL-adjusted
Mid-Career
$78K
COL-adjusted
ROI Payback
6.2 yrs
in Sioux Falls
Cost of Living
108
index (100 = avg)
Political Science in Sioux Falls, SD Overview
Sioux Falls, South Dakota (pop. 192,517) has 10 colleges offering Political Science programs. The local cost of living index of 108 is near the national average, with average rent near campus at $929/month. Political Science enrollment is stable nationwide, with steady demand for graduates skilled in Policy Analysis and Research. The adjusted starting salary in Sioux Falls is approximately $51,840.
Category
Social Sciences
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%
Political Science Salary in Sioux Falls (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Sioux Falls's cost of living index of 108 (national average = 100).
Note: National average Political Science salary: $48,000 starting, $72,000 mid-career, $95,000 senior level.Sioux Falls adjustment factor: 1.08x based on the local cost of living index.
Political Science ROI Calculator for Sioux Falls
Estimate your return on investment for a Political 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
$14,040
vs HS diploma in Sioux Falls
ROI Payback Period
6.2 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in Sioux Falls
$344,988
Lifetime earnings premium ($432,000) minus total education cost ($87,012)
Student Loan Payoff for Political Science in Sioux Falls
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Sioux Falls for Political 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 Political Science in Sioux Falls
Sioux Falls offers opportunities in Government agencies, Non-profits, Research institutes for Political Science graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key Sioux Falls Hiring Sectors for Social Sciences
Government agencies
Non-profits
Research institutes
Social services
Consulting
Common Political Science Job Titles
Political Science in Nearby South Dakota Cities
Other Social Sciences Majors in Sioux Falls
International Relations
$54K starting · 5 yr ROI
Urban Planning
$54K starting · 5 yr ROI
Geography
$54K starting · 5.5 yr ROI
Forensic Science
$54K starting · 4.8 yr ROI
Sustainability Studies
$54K starting · 5.8 yr ROI
Psychology
$48K starting · 6 yr ROI
Criminal Justice
$54K starting · 5 yr ROI
Sociology
$48K starting · 6.5 yr ROI
Political 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 Political Science ROI in other cities, or explore other majors in Sioux Falls.