Is private school cheaper in Bend or Sioux Falls?

Sioux Falls has lower average private school tuition at $5,900/year vs $13,100/year in Bend. That's $7,200/year less, or $93,600 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Sioux Falls is $7,200/year less than Bend. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $93,600 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $8,900/year in Bend, $4,200/year in Sioux Falls.

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

The national average private school tuition is $12,350/year. Bend averages $13,100/year ($750 above average). Sioux Falls averages $5,900/year ($6,450 below average).

Private School Cost: Bend vs Sioux Falls

Sioux Falls averages $7,200/year less for private school (122% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $93,600 per child.

Bottom Line

Sioux Falls is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $5,900/year vs $13,100/year in Bend. Religious schools run $4,200/year on the low end.

Bend

$13,100

avg tuition/year

$750 above national avg

Sioux Falls

$5,900

avg tuition/year

$6,450 below national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Bend	Sioux Falls	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$13,100/yr	$5,900/yr	+$7,200
Religious Schools	$8,900/yr	$4,200/yr	+$4,700
Independent/Prep	$26,500/yr	$12,000/yr	+$14,500
Elementary (K-5)	$11,100/yr	$5,000/yr	+$6,100
Middle School (6-8)	$13,100/yr	$5,900/yr	+$7,200
High School (9-12)	$15,700/yr	$7,100/yr	+$8,600

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Bend

$170,300

Sioux Falls

$76,700

Choosing Sioux Falls saves $93,600 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $187,200.

Sample Schools

Bend

Summit High School (Private Prep)

Independent · 9–12 · $12,800/yr

Cascade Christian High School (Bend)

Christian · 9–12 · $9,800-$12,200/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 Bend breakdown → Full Sioux Falls breakdown →

Oregon 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.