Is private school cheaper in Bellevue or Sioux Falls?

Sioux Falls has lower average private school tuition at $5,900/year vs $18,600/year in Bellevue. That's $12,700/year less, or $165,100 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Sioux Falls is $12,700/year less than Bellevue. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $165,100 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $12,700/year in Bellevue, $4,200/year in Sioux Falls.

How do Bellevue and Sioux Falls 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). Sioux Falls averages $5,900/year ($6,450 below average).

Private School Cost: Bellevue vs Sioux Falls

Sioux Falls averages $12,700/year less for private school (215% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $165,100 per child.

Bottom Line

Sioux Falls is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $5,900/year vs $18,600/year in Bellevue. Religious schools run $4,200/year on the low end.

Bellevue

$18,600

avg tuition/year

$6,250 above national avg

Sioux Falls

$5,900

avg tuition/year

$6,450 below national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Bellevue	Sioux Falls	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$18,600/yr	$5,900/yr	+$12,700
Religious Schools	$12,700/yr	$4,200/yr	+$8,500
Independent/Prep	$39,700/yr	$12,000/yr	+$27,700
Elementary (K-5)	$15,800/yr	$5,000/yr	+$10,800
Middle School (6-8)	$18,600/yr	$5,900/yr	+$12,700
High School (9-12)	$22,300/yr	$7,100/yr	+$15,200

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Bellevue

$241,800

Sioux Falls

$76,700

Choosing Sioux Falls saves $165,100 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $330,200.

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

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 Bellevue breakdown → Full Sioux Falls 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.