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Special Education Degree in Sioux Falls, SD — Salary & ROI 2026

Special Education 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

$59K

COL-adjusted

ROI Payback

5.4 yrs

in Sioux Falls

Cost of Living

108

index (100 = avg)

Special Education in Sioux Falls, SD Overview

Sioux Falls, South Dakota (pop. 192,517) has 10 colleges offering Special Education programs. The local cost of living index of 108 is near the national average, with average rent near campus at $929/month. Special Education has seen growing enrollment nationally, reflecting rising employer demand for IEP Development and Adaptive Instruction skills. The adjusted starting salary in Sioux Falls is approximately $54,000.

Category

Education

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%

Special Education 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)
$59,400(+$4,400 vs national)
Senior Level (15+ yrs)
$66,960(+$4,960 vs national)

Note: National average Special Education salary: $50,000 starting, $55,000 mid-career, $62,000 senior level.Sioux Falls adjustment factor: 1.08x based on the local cost of living index.

Special Education ROI Calculator for Sioux Falls

Estimate your return on investment for a Special Education 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

$236,988

Lifetime earnings premium ($324,000) minus total education cost ($87,012)

Student Loan Payoff for Special Education 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 Special Education

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 Special Education in Sioux Falls

Sioux Falls offers opportunities in School districts, Universities, EdTech companies for Special Education graduates. National top employers in this field include:

Public SchoolsPrivate SchoolsTherapy CentersGovernmentNon-Profits

Key Sioux Falls Hiring Sectors for Education

School districts

Universities

EdTech companies

Non-profits

Training organizations

Common Special Education Job Titles

Special Education TeacherBehavior SpecialistEducational Diagnostician

Special Education in Nearby South Dakota Cities

Special Education 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 Special Education ROI in other cities, or explore other majors in Sioux Falls.

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