Is private school cheaper in Abilene or Sioux Falls?

Sioux Falls has lower average private school tuition at $5,900/year vs $9,700/year in Abilene. That's $3,800/year less, or $49,400 over a K-12 career.

How much can I save on private school by choosing Sioux Falls over Abilene?

Average tuition in Sioux Falls is $3,800/year less than Abilene. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $49,400 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $6,600/year in Abilene, $4,200/year in Sioux Falls.

How do Abilene and Sioux Falls private school costs compare to the national average?

The national average private school tuition is $12,350/year. Abilene averages $9,700/year ($2,650 below average). Sioux Falls averages $5,900/year ($6,450 below average).

Private School Cost: Abilene vs Sioux Falls

Sioux Falls averages $3,800/year less for private school (64% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $49,400 per child.

Bottom Line

Sioux Falls is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $5,900/year vs $9,700/year in Abilene. Religious schools run $4,200/year on the low end.

Abilene

$9,700

avg tuition/year

$2,650 below national avg

Sioux Falls

$5,900

avg tuition/year

$6,450 below national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Abilene	Sioux Falls	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$9,700/yr	$5,900/yr	+$3,800
Religious Schools	$6,600/yr	$4,200/yr	+$2,400
Independent/Prep	$20,600/yr	$12,000/yr	+$8,600
Elementary (K-5)	$8,200/yr	$5,000/yr	+$3,200
Middle School (6-8)	$9,700/yr	$5,900/yr	+$3,800
High School (9-12)	$11,600/yr	$7,100/yr	+$4,500

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Abilene

$126,100

Sioux Falls

$76,700

Choosing Sioux Falls saves $49,400 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $98,800.

Sample Schools

Abilene

Wylie Academy (Abilene)

Christian · K–12 · $8,800-$11,200/yr

St. Joseph School (Abilene)

Catholic · K–8 · $7,400-$9,000/yr

Sioux Falls

O'Gorman High School (Sioux Falls)

Catholic · 9–12 · $8,800/yr

Sioux Falls Christian Schools

Christian · K–12 · $9,200-$11,400/yr

Full Abilene breakdown → Full Sioux Falls breakdown →

Texas private school costs South Dakota private school costs

About This Comparison

This comparison uses NCES Private School Universe Survey data, adjusted for metro-level cost-of-living differences. "Average tuition" blends religious schools (Catholic, Christian) and independent day/prep schools. Religious schools typically cost 60-70% less than independent schools in the same city.

Grade-level estimates (elementary, middle, high) are derived from the city average using national grade-level multipliers. High school tuition typically runs 15-25% above the city average; elementary runs 10-20% below.