Is private school cheaper in Cincinnati or Rapid City?

Rapid City has lower average private school tuition at $5,800/year vs $11,800/year in Cincinnati. That's $6,000/year less, or $78,000 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Rapid City is $6,000/year less than Cincinnati. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $78,000 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $7,600/year in Cincinnati, $4,100/year in Rapid City.

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

The national average private school tuition is $12,350/year. Cincinnati averages $11,800/year ($550 below average). Rapid City averages $5,800/year ($6,550 below average).

Private School Cost: Cincinnati vs Rapid City

Rapid City averages $6,000/year less for private school (103% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $78,000 per child.

Bottom Line

Rapid City is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $5,800/year vs $11,800/year in Cincinnati. Religious schools run $4,100/year on the low end.

Cincinnati

$11,800

avg tuition/year

$550 below national avg

Rapid City

$5,800

avg tuition/year

$6,550 below national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Cincinnati	Rapid City	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$11,800/yr	$5,800/yr	+$6,000
Religious Schools	$7,600/yr	$4,100/yr	+$3,500
Independent/Prep	$22,000/yr	$11,800/yr	+$10,200
Elementary (K-5)	$9,600/yr	$4,900/yr	+$4,700
Middle School (6-8)	$11,800/yr	$5,800/yr	+$6,000
High School (9-12)	$14,600/yr	$7,000/yr	+$7,600

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Cincinnati

$153,400

Rapid City

$75,400

Choosing Rapid City saves $78,000 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $156,000.

Sample Schools

Cincinnati

Cincinnati Country Day School

Independent · PK–12 · $24,400-$26,800/yr

Seven Hills School

Independent · PK–12 · $22,800-$25,200/yr

Moeller High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $13,800/yr

Elder High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $12,400/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 Cincinnati breakdown → Full Rapid City breakdown →

Ohio 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.