Is private school cheaper in Boston or Sioux Falls?

Sioux Falls has lower average private school tuition at $5,900/year vs $36,800/year in Boston. That's $30,900/year less, or $401,700 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Sioux Falls is $30,900/year less than Boston. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $401,700 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $18,500/year in Boston, $4,200/year in Sioux Falls.

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

The national average private school tuition is $12,350/year. Boston averages $36,800/year ($24,450 above average). Sioux Falls averages $5,900/year ($6,450 below average).

Private School Cost: Boston vs Sioux Falls

Sioux Falls averages $30,900/year less for private school (524% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $401,700 per child.

Bottom Line

Sioux Falls is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $5,900/year vs $36,800/year in Boston. Religious schools run $4,200/year on the low end.

Boston

$36,800

avg tuition/year

$24,450 above national avg

Sioux Falls

$5,900

avg tuition/year

$6,450 below national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Boston	Sioux Falls	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$36,800/yr	$5,900/yr	+$30,900
Religious Schools	$18,500/yr	$4,200/yr	+$14,300
Independent/Prep	$56,000/yr	$12,000/yr	+$44,000
Elementary (K-5)	$30,000/yr	$5,000/yr	+$25,000
Middle School (6-8)	$36,800/yr	$5,900/yr	+$30,900
High School (9-12)	$46,000/yr	$7,100/yr	+$38,900

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Boston

$478,400

Sioux Falls

$76,700

Choosing Sioux Falls saves $401,700 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $803,400.

Sample Schools

Boston

Boston Latin School (Exam)

Exam School (Public) · 7–12

Roxbury Latin School

Independent (need-based) · 7–12

Belmont Hill School

Independent · 7–12 · $59,800/yr

Boston College High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $23,100/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 Boston breakdown → Full Sioux Falls breakdown →

Massachusetts private school costs South Dakota private school costs

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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.