Percentile rankings vs 1,600+ peer institutions. Higher is better.
Career OutcomesAzimuth ranks University of Sioux Falls #994 for overall value on Azimuth's composite among nonprofit four-year institutions. Graduates earn a median $2,075 more than similar students at comparable institutions, placing University of Sioux Falls in the 66.8 percentile for earnings beyond expectations among nonprofit four-year institutions. Azimuth ranks University of Sioux Falls #1087 for mobility among nonprofit four-year institutions. --- University of Sioux Falls's composite ranking reflects balanced strength across access, mobility, and return on investment. Graduates earn a median $2,075 more than similar students at comparable institutions while maintaining strong mobility outcomes.
Azimuth ranks University of Sioux Falls #994 for overall value on Azimuth's composite among nonprofit four-year institutions — in the 33.0 percentile for overall value on Azimuth's composite among nonprofit four-year institutions. A private university in Sioux Falls, SD, University of Sioux Falls enrolls roughly 1,218 undergraduates. Retention is 74.5% and the six-year graduation rate is 62.9%, placing the institution among the stronger performers nationally for converting enrollment into degree completion. Where University of Sioux Falls performs strongest is return on investment. Azimuth ranks University of Sioux Falls #670 for return on investment among nonprofit four-year institutions — in the 54.8 percentile for return on investment among nonprofit four-year institutions. Graduates earn median 4-year earnings of $58,903, placing University of Sioux Falls in the 39.1 percentile for median earnings four years after enrollment among nonprofit four-year institutions. Graduates earn about $2,075 more than similar students at comparable institutions, placing University of Sioux Falls in the 66.8 percentile for earnings beyond expectations among nonprofit four-year institutions. This strength reflects the institution's concentration in Business, a field where employers actively recruit and early-career earnings remain competitive. Access and affordability sit lower in the composite. University of Sioux Falls sits in the 15.6 percentile for access and the 52.4 percentile for affordability among nonprofit four-year institutions. Mobility outcomes rank in the 26.5 percentile. For students who enroll, the institution delivers measurable financial returns relative to the no-degree baseline and positions graduates into stable career pathways aligned with regional labor-market demand.
University of Sioux Falls' published cost of attendance is $34,274. Net price by income band shows modest variation: low-income families pay approximately $18,145, middle-income families pay around $17,992, and higher-income families pay approximately $24,038. Azimuth ranks University of Sioux Falls #679 for post-graduation affordability among nonprofit four-year institutions. Net prices by income band are medians within those bands; individual aid packages vary, so some families in each band pay more and some less than the figures shown. Need-based aid covers a meaningful share of cost for many students. Families apply for aid using the FAFSA, and University of Sioux Falls participates in federal (Pell Grants, Direct Loans), state, and institutional aid programs. Median federal student loan debt at graduation is $23,249, and families using Parent PLUS borrow a median of $18,000; private or institutional loans may add further borrowing that falls outside these federal-only figures — see the Parent PLUS risk framework for how household context shapes PLUS decisions. For the typical graduate at the institution's median four-year earnings of $58,903, median federal debt of $23,249 projects to a monthly payment of about $263 under standard ten-year repayment. For personalized projections across earnings scenarios — including Parent PLUS planning — use Azimuth's Financial GPS tool.
University of Sioux Falls is a good fit for students seeking a private nonprofit university experience in SD with a focus on business and applied fields. Its program mix leans heavily toward Business, which accounts for 19% of degrees awarded. Graduates earn median earnings four years after enrollment of $58,903, placing University of Sioux Falls in the 39.1 percentile for median earnings four years after enrollment among nonprofit four-year institutions. They also earn about $2,075 more than similar students at comparable institutions, placing the institution in the 66.8 percentile for earnings beyond expectations among nonprofit four-year institutions. The university enrolls a meaningful share of Pell-eligible and first-generation students — 28.8% of undergraduates receive Pell Grants and 24.7% are first-generation — and delivers outcomes that place it in the 31.9 percentile for low-income graduate earnings among nonprofit four-year institutions, a historical 10-year Scorecard measure. Published cost of attendance is $24,038, and median federal debt at graduation is $23,249. Fit depends on two realistic filters: the 82.9% admit rate makes the application process selective, and the program mix favors business and applied fields over STEM or liberal arts. Students whose interests align with those areas will find a focused program portfolio and strong regional employer connections.
This school profile was generated using Azimuth's proprietary ROI framework, developed by founder Daniel Rogers. Our methodology transforms federal education data into actionable insights for families.
College Azimuth is a private research initiative and is not affiliated with the U.S. Department of Education or Federal Student Aid. Data sourced from College Scorecard.
This content is for educational and informational purposes only and should not be construed as financial, investment, or professional advice. Consult a qualified advisor before making any financial decisions.
Comprehensive Analysis
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Financial GPS Tool
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This is the University Of Sioux Falls hub overview page. Related admissions, cost, outcomes, majors, and similar-school pages provide the detailed school data.
Based on federal data for students receiving aid. Actual costs may vary.
University of Sioux Falls' published cost of attendance is $34,274. Net price by income band shows modest variation: low-income families pay approximately $18,145, middle-income families pay around $17,992, and higher-income families pay approximately $24,038.
Azimuth ranks University of Sioux Falls #679 for post-graduation affordability among nonprofit four-year institutions. Net prices by income band are medians within those bands; individual aid packages vary, so some families in each band pay more and some less than the figures shown.
Need-based aid covers a meaningful share of cost for many students. Families apply for aid using the FAFSA, and University of Sioux Falls participates in federal (Pell Grants, Direct Loans), state, and institutional aid programs.
Median federal student loan debt at graduation is $23,249, and families using Parent PLUS borrow a median of $18,000; private or institutional loans may add further borrowing that falls outside these federal-only figures — see the [Parent PLUS risk framework](/analysis/ou-what-happens-when-parents-borrow-too/) for how household context shapes PLUS decisions. For the typical graduate at the institution's median four-year earnings of $58,903, median federal debt of $23,249 projects to a monthly payment of about $263 under standard ten-year repayment.
For personalized projections across earnings scenarios — including Parent PLUS planning — use [Azimuth's Financial GPS tool](/analysis/financial-gps-framework/).
Graduates of University of Sioux Falls earn median 4-year earnings of $58,903, placing University of Sioux Falls in the 39.1 percentile for median earnings four years after enrollment among nonprofit four-year institutions. Graduates earn about $2,075 more than similar students at comparable institutions, placing University of Sioux Falls in the 66.8 percentile for [earnings beyond expectations](/analysis/a-value-added-approach-to-college-outcomes/) among nonprofit four-year institutions.
Azimuth ranks University of Sioux Falls #670 for return on investment among nonprofit four-year institutions. The earnings pattern reflects University of Sioux Falls's concentration in business and professional fields.
Nursing is the largest program with 74 graduates earning median 4-year earnings of $79,077, at 0.9x the national benchmark for the field. The Business Administration program graduates 55 students with median 4-year earnings of $50,253, and Psychology, General delivers median 4-year earnings of $49,469 across 48 graduates.
These programs anchor the institution's economic profile and align with regional employer demand in SD.
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing
74 graduates
Accounting and Related Services
25 graduates
Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness
24 graduates
Criminal Justice and Corrections
36 graduates
Business Administration, Management and Operations
55 graduates
University of Sioux Falls's program mix is anchored in business and professional fields, reflecting the institution's applied, career-focused identity. Nursing is the largest program with 74 graduates, followed by Business Administration, Psychology, General, Criminal Justice, and Teacher Education.
Across 16 total programs, 0 meet Azimuth's ranking threshold, with Business representing the dominant concentration. The strongest earnings outcomes cluster in applied business and professional fields.
Nursing leads with median earnings of $79,077 four years after enrollment across 74 graduates, followed by Accounting at $70,772 with 25 graduates, and Kinesiology at $63,466 with 24 graduates. Criminal Justice and Business Administration round out the highest-earning programs, delivering median earnings of $62,792 and $50,253 respectively.
These programs reflect direct-to-workforce pathways where graduates enter professional roles immediately after completion. The program portfolio emphasizes practical skill development and employer alignment in fields with steady regional demand.
Nursing graduates achieve median earnings of $79,077 four years after enrollment, while Business Administration graduates earn a median of $50,253, demonstrating consistent earnings outcomes across the institution's largest cohorts. This concentration in applied business and professional programs positions University of Sioux Falls as a career-preparation institution where program choice directly connects to labor-market outcomes in stable, in-demand fields.
Peer institutions with comparable quality and outcomes:
| School | State | Accept Rate | Median Earnings | Rank | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
The Catholic University Of America Similar quality tier (#28224 ranked) | DC | 83% | $73,250 | #28224 | Compare |
Clark University Similar quality tier (#28227 ranked) | MA | 40% | $62,381 | #28227 | Compare |
Gannon University Similar quality tier (#28228 ranked) | PA | 74% | $58,845 | #28228 | Compare |
University Of Dubuque Similar quality tier in Midwest (#28219 ranked) | IA | 89% | $51,190 | #28219 | Compare |
John Carroll University Similar quality tier in Midwest (#28229 ranked) | OH | 81% | $62,860 | #28229 | Compare |
