Is private school cheaper in Columbia or Sioux Falls?

Sioux Falls has lower average private school tuition at $5,900/year vs $8,300/year in Columbia. That's $2,400/year less, or $31,200 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Sioux Falls is $2,400/year less than Columbia. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $31,200 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $5,900/year in Columbia, $4,200/year in Sioux Falls.

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

The national average private school tuition is $12,350/year. Columbia averages $8,300/year ($4,050 below average). Sioux Falls averages $5,900/year ($6,450 below average).

Private School Cost: Columbia vs Sioux Falls

Sioux Falls averages $2,400/year less for private school (41% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $31,200 per child.

Bottom Line

Sioux Falls is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $5,900/year vs $8,300/year in Columbia. Religious schools run $4,200/year on the low end.

Columbia

$8,300

avg tuition/year

$4,050 below national avg

Sioux Falls

$5,900

avg tuition/year

$6,450 below national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Columbia	Sioux Falls	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$8,300/yr	$5,900/yr	+$2,400
Religious Schools	$5,900/yr	$4,200/yr	+$1,700
Independent/Prep	$19,500/yr	$12,000/yr	+$7,500
Elementary (K-5)	$7,100/yr	$5,000/yr	+$2,100
Middle School (6-8)	$8,300/yr	$5,900/yr	+$2,400
High School (9-12)	$10,000/yr	$7,100/yr	+$2,900

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Columbia

$107,900

Sioux Falls

$76,700

Choosing Sioux Falls saves $31,200 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $62,400.

Sample Schools

Columbia

Columbia Independent School

Independent · PK–8 · $12,800/yr

Calvary Lutheran School (Columbia MO)

Lutheran · PK–8 · $8,400-$10,400/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 Columbia breakdown → Full Sioux Falls breakdown →

Missouri 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.