Is private school cheaper in Charlotte or Sioux Falls?

Sioux Falls has lower average private school tuition at $5,900/year vs $13,500/year in Charlotte. That's $7,600/year less, or $98,800 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Sioux Falls is $7,600/year less than Charlotte. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $98,800 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $8,400/year in Charlotte, $4,200/year in Sioux Falls.

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

The national average private school tuition is $12,350/year. Charlotte averages $13,500/year ($1,150 above average). Sioux Falls averages $5,900/year ($6,450 below average).

Private School Cost: Charlotte vs Sioux Falls

Sioux Falls averages $7,600/year less for private school (129% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $98,800 per child.

Bottom Line

Sioux Falls is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $5,900/year vs $13,500/year in Charlotte. Religious schools run $4,200/year on the low end.

Charlotte

$13,500

avg tuition/year

$1,150 above national avg

Sioux Falls

$5,900

avg tuition/year

$6,450 below national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Charlotte	Sioux Falls	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$13,500/yr	$5,900/yr	+$7,600
Religious Schools	$8,400/yr	$4,200/yr	+$4,200
Independent/Prep	$25,000/yr	$12,000/yr	+$13,000
Elementary (K-5)	$11,000/yr	$5,000/yr	+$6,000
Middle School (6-8)	$13,500/yr	$5,900/yr	+$7,600
High School (9-12)	$16,700/yr	$7,100/yr	+$9,600

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Charlotte

$175,500

Sioux Falls

$76,700

Choosing Sioux Falls saves $98,800 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $197,600.

Sample Schools

Charlotte

Charlotte Latin School

Independent · K–12 · $26,800-$29,200/yr

Providence Day School

Independent · PK–12 · $24,800/yr

Myers Park Traditional School

Magnet (Free) · K–12

Charlotte Catholic High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $16,200/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 Charlotte breakdown → Full Sioux Falls breakdown →

North Carolina private school costs South Dakota private school costs

Related Comparisons

Atlanta vs Charlotte → Raleigh vs Charlotte →

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.