Is private school cheaper in Boulder or Sioux Falls?

Sioux Falls has lower average private school tuition at $5,900/year vs $15,200/year in Boulder. That's $9,300/year less, or $120,900 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Sioux Falls is $9,300/year less than Boulder. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $120,900 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $9,900/year in Boulder, $4,200/year in Sioux Falls.

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

The national average private school tuition is $12,350/year. Boulder averages $15,200/year ($2,850 above average). Sioux Falls averages $5,900/year ($6,450 below average).

Private School Cost: Boulder vs Sioux Falls

Sioux Falls averages $9,300/year less for private school (158% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $120,900 per child.

Bottom Line

Sioux Falls is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $5,900/year vs $15,200/year in Boulder. Religious schools run $4,200/year on the low end.

Boulder

$15,200

avg tuition/year

$2,850 above national avg

Sioux Falls

$5,900

avg tuition/year

$6,450 below national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Boulder	Sioux Falls	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$15,200/yr	$5,900/yr	+$9,300
Religious Schools	$9,900/yr	$4,200/yr	+$5,700
Independent/Prep	$29,900/yr	$12,000/yr	+$17,900
Elementary (K-5)	$12,900/yr	$5,000/yr	+$7,900
Middle School (6-8)	$15,200/yr	$5,900/yr	+$9,300
High School (9-12)	$18,200/yr	$7,100/yr	+$11,100

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Boulder

$197,600

Sioux Falls

$76,700

Choosing Sioux Falls saves $120,900 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $241,800.

Sample Schools

Boulder

Naropa University Lab School

Independent · K–8 · $18,400/yr

Dawson School

Independent · PK–12 · $26,800/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 Boulder breakdown → Full Sioux Falls breakdown →

Colorado 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.