Is private school cheaper in Bellevue or Rapid City?

Rapid City has lower average private school tuition at $5,800/year vs $18,600/year in Bellevue. That's $12,800/year less, or $166,400 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Rapid City is $12,800/year less than Bellevue. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $166,400 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $12,700/year in Bellevue, $4,100/year in Rapid City.

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

The national average private school tuition is $12,350/year. Bellevue averages $18,600/year ($6,250 above average). Rapid City averages $5,800/year ($6,550 below average).

Private School Cost: Bellevue vs Rapid City

Rapid City averages $12,800/year less for private school (221% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $166,400 per child.

Bottom Line

Rapid City is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $5,800/year vs $18,600/year in Bellevue. Religious schools run $4,100/year on the low end.

Bellevue

$18,600

avg tuition/year

$6,250 above national avg

Rapid City

$5,800

avg tuition/year

$6,550 below national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Bellevue	Rapid City	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$18,600/yr	$5,800/yr	+$12,800
Religious Schools	$12,700/yr	$4,100/yr	+$8,600
Independent/Prep	$39,700/yr	$11,800/yr	+$27,900
Elementary (K-5)	$15,800/yr	$4,900/yr	+$10,900
Middle School (6-8)	$18,600/yr	$5,800/yr	+$12,800
High School (9-12)	$22,300/yr	$7,000/yr	+$15,300

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Bellevue

$241,800

Rapid City

$75,400

Choosing Rapid City saves $166,400 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $332,800.

Sample Schools

Bellevue

The Overlake School

Independent · 5–12 · $37,800/yr

Bellevue Christian School

Christian · PK–12 · $14,200/yr

Bellarmine Preparatory School (Tacoma)

Catholic · 9–12 · $18,400/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 Bellevue breakdown → Full Rapid City breakdown →

Washington 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.