Is private school cheaper in Baltimore or Sioux Falls?

Sioux Falls has lower average private school tuition at $5,900/year vs $18,500/year in Baltimore. That's $12,600/year less, or $163,800 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Sioux Falls is $12,600/year less than Baltimore. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $163,800 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $10,800/year in Baltimore, $4,200/year in Sioux Falls.

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

The national average private school tuition is $12,350/year. Baltimore averages $18,500/year ($6,150 above average). Sioux Falls averages $5,900/year ($6,450 below average).

Private School Cost: Baltimore vs Sioux Falls

Sioux Falls averages $12,600/year less for private school (214% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $163,800 per child.

Bottom Line

Sioux Falls is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $5,900/year vs $18,500/year in Baltimore. Religious schools run $4,200/year on the low end.

Baltimore

$18,500

avg tuition/year

$6,150 above national avg

Sioux Falls

$5,900

avg tuition/year

$6,450 below national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Baltimore	Sioux Falls	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$18,500/yr	$5,900/yr	+$12,600
Religious Schools	$10,800/yr	$4,200/yr	+$6,600
Independent/Prep	$34,000/yr	$12,000/yr	+$22,000
Elementary (K-5)	$15,200/yr	$5,000/yr	+$10,200
Middle School (6-8)	$18,500/yr	$5,900/yr	+$12,600
High School (9-12)	$23,000/yr	$7,100/yr	+$15,900

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Baltimore

$240,500

Sioux Falls

$76,700

Choosing Sioux Falls saves $163,800 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $327,600.

Sample Schools

Baltimore

Gilman School

Independent · K–12 · $38,200-$40,800/yr

Roland Park Country School

Independent · K–12 · $36,800/yr

Calvert Hall College High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $19,400/yr

Loyola Blakefield

Catholic · 6–12 · $24,800/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 Baltimore breakdown → Full Sioux Falls breakdown →

Maryland 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.