Pre-Law / Legal Studies Degree in Sioux Falls, SD — Salary & ROI 2026
Pre-Law / Legal Studies 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
$89K
COL-adjusted
ROI Payback
5.4 yrs
in Sioux Falls
Cost of Living
108
index (100 = avg)
Pre-Law / Legal Studies in Sioux Falls, SD Overview
Sioux Falls, South Dakota (pop. 192,517) has 10 colleges offering Pre-Law / Legal Studies programs. The local cost of living index of 108 is near the national average, with average rent near campus at $929/month. Pre-Law / Legal Studies enrollment is stable nationwide, with steady demand for graduates skilled in Legal Research and Writing. The adjusted starting salary in Sioux Falls is approximately $54,000, growing to $88,560 by mid-career.
Category
Legal Studies
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%
Pre-Law / Legal Studies Salary in Sioux Falls (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Sioux Falls's cost of living index of 108 (national average = 100).
Note: National average Pre-Law / Legal Studies salary: $50,000 starting, $82,000 mid-career, $110,000 senior level.Sioux Falls adjustment factor: 1.08x based on the local cost of living index.
Pre-Law / Legal Studies ROI Calculator for Sioux Falls
Estimate your return on investment for a Pre-Law / Legal Studies 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
$506,988
Lifetime earnings premium ($594,000) minus total education cost ($87,012)
Student Loan Payoff for Pre-Law / Legal Studies in Sioux Falls
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Sioux Falls for Pre-Law / Legal Studies
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 Pre-Law / Legal Studies in Sioux Falls
Sioux Falls offers opportunities in Law firms, Government agencies, Corporate legal departments for Pre-Law / Legal Studies graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key Sioux Falls Hiring Sectors for Legal Studies
Law firms
Government agencies
Corporate legal departments
Non-profits
Courts
Common Pre-Law / Legal Studies Job Titles
Pre-Law / Legal Studies in Nearby South Dakota Cities
Other Legal Studies Majors in Sioux Falls
Pre-Law / Legal Studies 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 Pre-Law / Legal Studies ROI in other cities, or explore other majors in Sioux Falls.