Is private school cheaper in Clearwater or Sioux Falls?

Sioux Falls has lower average private school tuition at $5,900/year vs $10,200/year in Clearwater. That's $4,300/year less, or $55,900 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Sioux Falls is $4,300/year less than Clearwater. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $55,900 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $7,100/year in Clearwater, $4,200/year in Sioux Falls.

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

The national average private school tuition is $12,350/year. Clearwater averages $10,200/year ($2,150 below average). Sioux Falls averages $5,900/year ($6,450 below average).

Private School Cost: Clearwater vs Sioux Falls

Sioux Falls averages $4,300/year less for private school (73% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $55,900 per child.

Bottom Line

Sioux Falls is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $5,900/year vs $10,200/year in Clearwater. Religious schools run $4,200/year on the low end.

Clearwater

$10,200

avg tuition/year

$2,150 below national avg

Sioux Falls

$5,900

avg tuition/year

$6,450 below national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Clearwater	Sioux Falls	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$10,200/yr	$5,900/yr	+$4,300
Religious Schools	$7,100/yr	$4,200/yr	+$2,900
Independent/Prep	$21,100/yr	$12,000/yr	+$9,100
Elementary (K-5)	$8,700/yr	$5,000/yr	+$3,700
Middle School (6-8)	$10,200/yr	$5,900/yr	+$4,300
High School (9-12)	$12,200/yr	$7,100/yr	+$5,100

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Clearwater

$132,600

Sioux Falls

$76,700

Choosing Sioux Falls saves $55,900 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $111,800.

Sample Schools

Clearwater

Calvary Christian Academy (Clearwater)

Christian · PK–12 · $10,400-$12,800/yr

Holy Trinity Episcopal Academy

Independent (Episcopal) · PK–12 · $14,200/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 Clearwater breakdown → Full Sioux Falls breakdown →

Florida 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.