Is private school cheaper in Atlanta or Rapid City?

Rapid City has lower average private school tuition at $5,800/year vs $15,200/year in Atlanta. That's $9,400/year less, or $122,200 over a K-12 career.

How much can I save on private school by choosing Rapid City over Atlanta?

Average tuition in Rapid City is $9,400/year less than Atlanta. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $122,200 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $9,400/year in Atlanta, $4,100/year in Rapid City.

How do Atlanta and Rapid City private school costs compare to the national average?

The national average private school tuition is $12,350/year. Atlanta averages $15,200/year ($2,850 above average). Rapid City averages $5,800/year ($6,550 below average).

Private School Cost: Atlanta vs Rapid City

Rapid City averages $9,400/year less for private school (162% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $122,200 per child.

Bottom Line

Rapid City is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $5,800/year vs $15,200/year in Atlanta. Religious schools run $4,100/year on the low end.

Atlanta

$15,200

avg tuition/year

$2,850 above national avg

Rapid City

$5,800

avg tuition/year

$6,550 below national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Atlanta	Rapid City	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$15,200/yr	$5,800/yr	+$9,400
Religious Schools	$9,400/yr	$4,100/yr	+$5,300
Independent/Prep	$28,500/yr	$11,800/yr	+$16,700
Elementary (K-5)	$12,500/yr	$4,900/yr	+$7,600
Middle School (6-8)	$15,200/yr	$5,800/yr	+$9,400
High School (9-12)	$18,800/yr	$7,000/yr	+$11,800

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Atlanta

$197,600

Rapid City

$75,400

Choosing Rapid City saves $122,200 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $244,400.

Sample Schools

Atlanta

The Westminster Schools

Independent · 1–12 · $35,800-$38,400/yr

Pace Academy

Independent · K–12 · $34,200/yr

Lovett School

Independent · K–12 · $33,600/yr

Marist School Atlanta

Catholic · 7–12 · $19,400/yr

Rapid City

Rapid City Christian Schools

Christian · K–12 · $8,600-$10,800/yr

St. Thomas More High School (Rapid City)

Catholic · 9–12 · $8,400/yr

Full Atlanta breakdown → Full Rapid City breakdown →

Georgia private school costs South Dakota private school costs

Related Comparisons

Atlanta vs Charlotte → Nashville vs Atlanta → Washington DC vs Atlanta →

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.