Is private school cheaper in Centennial or Rapid City?

Rapid City has lower average private school tuition at $5,800/year vs $13,700/year in Centennial. That's $7,900/year less, or $102,700 over a K-12 career.

How much can I save on private school by choosing Rapid City over Centennial?

Average tuition in Rapid City is $7,900/year less than Centennial. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $102,700 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $8,900/year in Centennial, $4,100/year in Rapid City.

How do Centennial and Rapid City private school costs compare to the national average?

The national average private school tuition is $12,350/year. Centennial averages $13,700/year ($1,350 above average). Rapid City averages $5,800/year ($6,550 below average).

Private School Cost: Centennial vs Rapid City

Rapid City averages $7,900/year less for private school (136% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $102,700 per child.

Bottom Line

Rapid City is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $5,800/year vs $13,700/year in Centennial. Religious schools run $4,100/year on the low end.

Centennial

$13,700

avg tuition/year

$1,350 above national avg

Rapid City

$5,800

avg tuition/year

$6,550 below national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Centennial	Rapid City	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$13,700/yr	$5,800/yr	+$7,900
Religious Schools	$8,900/yr	$4,100/yr	+$4,800
Independent/Prep	$27,000/yr	$11,800/yr	+$15,200
Elementary (K-5)	$11,600/yr	$4,900/yr	+$6,700
Middle School (6-8)	$13,700/yr	$5,800/yr	+$7,900
High School (9-12)	$16,400/yr	$7,000/yr	+$9,400

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Centennial

$178,100

Rapid City

$75,400

Choosing Rapid City saves $102,700 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $205,400.

Sample Schools

Centennial

Arapahoe Christian Academy

Christian · K–12 · $10,400-$12,800/yr

Cherry Creek Christian School

Christian · K–12 · $9,800-$12,200/yr

Rapid City

Rapid City Christian Schools

Christian · K–12 · $8,600-$10,800/yr

St. Thomas More High School (Rapid City)

Catholic · 9–12 · $8,400/yr

Full Centennial breakdown → Full Rapid City 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.