Is private school cheaper in Boise or Sioux Falls?

Sioux Falls has lower average private school tuition at $5,900/year vs $8,000/year in Boise. That's $2,100/year less, or $27,300 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Sioux Falls is $2,100/year less than Boise. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $27,300 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $5,500/year in Boise, $4,200/year in Sioux Falls.

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

The national average private school tuition is $12,350/year. Boise averages $8,000/year ($4,350 below average). Sioux Falls averages $5,900/year ($6,450 below average).

Private School Cost: Boise vs Sioux Falls

Sioux Falls averages $2,100/year less for private school (36% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $27,300 per child.

Bottom Line

Sioux Falls is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $5,900/year vs $8,000/year in Boise. Religious schools run $4,200/year on the low end.

Boise

$8,000

avg tuition/year

$4,350 below national avg

Sioux Falls

$5,900

avg tuition/year

$6,450 below national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Boise	Sioux Falls	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$8,000/yr	$5,900/yr	+$2,100
Religious Schools	$5,500/yr	$4,200/yr	+$1,300
Independent/Prep	$15,500/yr	$12,000/yr	+$3,500
Elementary (K-5)	$6,800/yr	$5,000/yr	+$1,800
Middle School (6-8)	$8,000/yr	$5,900/yr	+$2,100
High School (9-12)	$9,600/yr	$7,100/yr	+$2,500

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Boise

$104,000

Sioux Falls

$76,700

Choosing Sioux Falls saves $27,300 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $54,600.

Sample Schools

Boise

The Ambrose School (Boise)

Christian Classical · PK–12 · $12,200-$14,800/yr

Boise Christian School

Christian · K–12 · $9,400-$11,800/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 Boise breakdown → Full Sioux Falls breakdown →

Idaho 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.