Is private school cheaper in Chicago or Sioux Falls?

Sioux Falls has lower average private school tuition at $5,900/year vs $18,400/year in Chicago. That's $12,500/year less, or $162,500 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Sioux Falls is $12,500/year less than Chicago. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $162,500 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $10,200/year in Chicago, $4,200/year in Sioux Falls.

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

The national average private school tuition is $12,350/year. Chicago averages $18,400/year ($6,050 above average). Sioux Falls averages $5,900/year ($6,450 below average).

Private School Cost: Chicago vs Sioux Falls

Sioux Falls averages $12,500/year less for private school (212% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $162,500 per child.

Bottom Line

Sioux Falls is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $5,900/year vs $18,400/year in Chicago. Religious schools run $4,200/year on the low end.

Chicago

$18,400

avg tuition/year

$6,050 above national avg

Sioux Falls

$5,900

avg tuition/year

$6,450 below national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Chicago	Sioux Falls	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$18,400/yr	$5,900/yr	+$12,500
Religious Schools	$10,200/yr	$4,200/yr	+$6,000
Independent/Prep	$32,000/yr	$12,000/yr	+$20,000
Elementary (K-5)	$15,000/yr	$5,000/yr	+$10,000
Middle School (6-8)	$18,400/yr	$5,900/yr	+$12,500
High School (9-12)	$22,800/yr	$7,100/yr	+$15,700

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Chicago

$239,200

Sioux Falls

$76,700

Choosing Sioux Falls saves $162,500 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $325,000.

Sample Schools

Chicago

Latin School of Chicago

Independent · JK–12 · $38,040/yr

University of Chicago Laboratory Schools

Independent · N–12 · $35,700-$38,200/yr

Francis W. Parker School

Independent · JK–12 · $36,800/yr

St. Ignatius College Prep (Chicago)

Catholic · 9–12 · $19,400/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 Chicago breakdown → Full Sioux Falls breakdown →

Illinois private school costs South Dakota private school costs

Related Comparisons

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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.