University of Sioux Falls
Sioux Falls, South Dakota · Private Nonprofit · 82.9% acceptance rate
ROI Score: 55/100 · Below Average Value
University of Sioux Falls scores 55 (Below Average Value) — a mediocre result for a small private Baptist university in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. The school charges $21,750 in tuition against a $21,383 average net price — nearly the same figure, indicating minimal institutional aid at the average. Median 6-year earnings of $38,800 and an 11.6-year payback are below average. The 62.9% completion rate and 82.6% repayment rate are among the school's better metrics. Median debt of $23,249 with a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.599 is elevated for the earnings level. Nursing is the clear financial standout; most other programs produce C or D ROI grades.
University of Sioux Falls
Quick Numbers
| In-state tuition + fees | $21,750/yr |
| Out-of-state tuition + fees | $21,750/yr |
| Average net price | $21,383/yr |
| Total 4-year cost (net) | $85,532 |
| Median earnings (10yr post-entry) | $54,521 |
| Median earnings (6yr post-entry) | $38,800 |
| Median debt at graduation | $23,249 |
| Estimated monthly loan payment | $246 |
| Estimated payback period | 11.6 years |
| 6-year graduation rate | 62.9% |
| Undergraduate enrollment | 1,218 |
Data as of 2024-2025. Source: College Scorecard API (U.S. Department of Education).
The Full Financial Picture
The sticker price at University of Sioux Falls is $21,750/year. But sticker price isn't what most students pay. After grants, scholarships, and financial aid, the average student pays a net price of $21,383/year, or roughly $85,532 over four years.
That net price varies significantly by family income. The lowest-income families (under $30,000/year) pay an average of $18,145/year, while families earning over $110,000 pay $24,038/year.
The median graduate leaves with $23,249 in federal loan debt, translating to an estimated monthly payment of $246 on a standard 10-year repayment plan. Against median earnings of $54,521 ten years out, the debt-to-earnings ratio is 0.60 - within the recommended range but worth monitoring.
Net Price by Family Income
What families actually pay after grants and scholarships, by income bracket.
| Family Income | Avg Net Price/Year |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $18,145 |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $17,804 |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $17,992 |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $21,375 |
| $110,001+ | $24,038 |
Cost by Income Bracket Explained
Lower-income families (under $30K)
Families under $30,000 pay $18,145 net per year — nearly the same as the full net price and very high for a school's low-income students. This suggests USF provides minimal need-based aid even for its lowest-income families. At $38,800 median earnings, the payback exceeds a decade for most programs. Low-income students who can access SDSU with better aid should compare carefully.
Middle-income families ($30K-$110K)
The $48,001-$75,000 bracket pays $17,992 net and the $75,001-$110,000 bracket pays $21,375. The aid model is remarkably flat — nearly all families pay $17,000-$21,000 regardless of income. This unusual flatness suggests USF relies heavily on merit aid rather than need-based aid to differentiate pricing.
Higher-income families ($110K+)
Families earning $110,000+ pay $24,038 net per year — about $96,000 over four years. At $38,800 median earnings, this is a poor financial return. The only program that makes the cost defensible is nursing.
Earnings by Major
Top 10 most popular majors at University of Sioux Falls with available earnings data.
| Major | Median Earnings | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nursing | $79,077 | B |
| Business Administration, Management, and Operations | $50,253 | C |
| Teacher Education | $44,735 | C |
| Psychology | $49,469 | D |
| Kinesiology and Exercise Science | $63,466 | C |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | $62,792 | C |
| Communication and Media Studies | $42,847 | - |
| Biology | $46,229 | C+ |
| Accounting | $70,772 | C+ |
| Teacher Education, Subject-Specific | $39,899 | - |
Earnings reflect median 4-year post-completion (or 1-year where 4-year unavailable). Grades based on debt-to-earnings ratio.
Program Analysis
Why these programs deliver their earnings outcomes.
Registered Nursing
Nursing (60 graduates) earns $70,622 at year one and $79,077 at year four with a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.439 (ROI grade B) and $31,000 median debt. The debt load is high relative to other nursing programs in the dataset, but earnings are strong for the Sioux Falls healthcare market. Nursing is USF's strongest program and the clearest financial argument for enrollment.
Business Administration, Management, and Operations
Business Administration (48 graduates) earns $44,301 at year one and $50,253 at year four — a narrow spread suggesting limited earnings growth — with a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.559 (ROI grade C) and $24,750 median debt. The four-year earnings ceiling of $50,253 is low for a business degree. Sioux Falls has a growing financial services and retail corporate sector, but competition from SDSU and Augustana business graduates is real.
Teacher Education
Teacher Education (38 graduates) earns $38,688 at year one and $44,735 at year four with a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.698 (ROI grade C) and $27,000 median debt. South Dakota teacher salaries have historically been among the lowest in the nation, though recent raises have improved the picture. The debt load at USF's net price creates a difficult early-career financial position for education graduates.
Psychology
Psychology (34 graduates) earns $27,241 at year one with a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.912 (ROI grade D) and $24,856 median debt. Near-minimum-wage entry-level psychology employment against nearly $25,000 in debt is a difficult start. Graduate school is necessary for meaningful career advancement, which extends the debt and delays payback significantly.
How Graduates Do
Earnings
Loan Repayment
| Metric | This School | Nat'l Avg |
|---|---|---|
| 1-year repayment | 81.3% | 52.0% |
| 3-year repayment | 82.6% | 62.0% |
| 5-year repayment | 78.4% | 68.0% |
| 7-year repayment | 82.2% | 72.0% |
Completion Rate
Admissions Snapshot
| Acceptance rate | 82.9% |
| Enrollment | 1,218 |
| Pell Grant recipients | 28.8% |
| Avg faculty salary (monthly) | $7,056 |
An 82.9% acceptance rate makes USF broadly accessible. No standardized test data is available in the Scorecard, which may reflect test-optional policies or data gaps. Admission is not a meaningful barrier; program choice and financial aid packaging are the binding decisions.
Compared to Similar Schools
Peer institutions matched by type, size, and selectivity.
USF's listed peers include Augustana University (Sioux Falls), Dakota Wesleyan University, Andrews University, Southern Nazarene University, and Juniata College. Augustana University is the most meaningful local peer — also a small private Christian university in Sioux Falls with similar size and similar student population. Augustana carries a stronger academic reputation and Lutheran heritage. Dakota Wesleyan is a smaller comparable. USF's ROI of 55 is at the lower end of this peer set, primarily held back by its flat, high net-price-relative-to-outcomes structure and limited program depth outside nursing.
| School | ROI | Net Price | 10yr Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|
| University of Sioux Falls (this school) | 55 | $21,383 | $54,521 |
| Augustana University | 63 | $23,894 | $59,217 |
| Andrews University | 56 | $12,547 | $53,187 |
| Southern Nazarene University | 55 | $22,084 | $54,951 |
| Juniata College | 55 | $23,988 | $56,918 |
| Dakota Wesleyan University | 45 | $19,735 | $53,728 |
Who Thrives Here
USF admits 82.9% of applicants with no SAT/ACT data reported in the Scorecard. The 1,218-student enrollment is small. The 28.8% Pell rate reflects moderate economic diversity for a small private religious school. USF serves students who want a Christian university environment in the Sioux Falls area. Nursing students have a clear financial rationale. Students in other programs should compare carefully against South Dakota State University and Augustana University, which offer competing options at different price and outcomes profiles. The net price of $21,383 with no apparent advantage over public alternatives is a challenge unless students are specifically seeking USF's religious community.
The Verdict: Proceed With Caution
The financial case for University of Sioux Falls is mixed. At $21,383 per year net cost, graduates earn a median of $54,521 ten years after entry - a payback period of 11.6 years. That's below the average return for four-year institutions, and prospective students should carefully consider whether the investment aligns with their financial goals.
The data highlights several strengths: high loan repayment success.
Median debt of $23,249 against $54,521 in earnings is reasonable, though major choice matters significantly. Students in higher-earning programs will see better returns.
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Data: College Scorecard API (U.S. Department of Education)
Vintage: 2024-2025 · Last updated: 2026-03-25
Earnings reflect median outcomes for all federal financial aid recipients. Individual results vary by major, effort, and career path.