Is private school cheaper in Augusta or Rapid City?

Rapid City has lower average private school tuition at $5,800/year vs $9,900/year in Augusta. That's $4,100/year less, or $53,300 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Rapid City is $4,100/year less than Augusta. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $53,300 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $6,900/year in Augusta, $4,100/year in Rapid City.

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

The national average private school tuition is $12,350/year. Augusta averages $9,900/year ($2,450 below average). Rapid City averages $5,800/year ($6,550 below average).

Private School Cost: Augusta vs Rapid City

Rapid City averages $4,100/year less for private school (71% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $53,300 per child.

Bottom Line

Rapid City is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $5,800/year vs $9,900/year in Augusta. Religious schools run $4,100/year on the low end.

Augusta

$9,900

avg tuition/year

$2,450 below national avg

Rapid City

$5,800

avg tuition/year

$6,550 below national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Augusta	Rapid City	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$9,900/yr	$5,800/yr	+$4,100
Religious Schools	$6,900/yr	$4,100/yr	+$2,800
Independent/Prep	$20,100/yr	$11,800/yr	+$8,300
Elementary (K-5)	$8,400/yr	$4,900/yr	+$3,500
Middle School (6-8)	$9,900/yr	$5,800/yr	+$4,100
High School (9-12)	$11,900/yr	$7,000/yr	+$4,900

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Augusta

$128,700

Rapid City

$75,400

Choosing Rapid City saves $53,300 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $106,600.

Sample Schools

Augusta

Augusta Preparatory Day School

Independent · PK–12 · $17,400/yr

Aquinas High School (Augusta)

Catholic · 9–12 · $9,200/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 Augusta breakdown → Full Rapid City breakdown →

Georgia 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.