Is private school cheaper in Columbia or Rapid City?

Rapid City has lower average private school tuition at $5,800/year vs $8,200/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 Rapid City over Columbia?

Average tuition in Rapid City 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: $6,000/year in Columbia, $4,100/year in Rapid City.

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

The national average private school tuition is $12,350/year. Columbia averages $8,200/year ($4,150 below average). Rapid City averages $5,800/year ($6,550 below average).

Private School Cost: Columbia vs Rapid City

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

Bottom Line

Rapid City is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $5,800/year vs $8,200/year in Columbia. Religious schools run $4,100/year on the low end.

Columbia

$8,200

avg tuition/year

$4,150 below national avg

Rapid City

$5,800

avg tuition/year

$6,550 below national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Columbia	Rapid City	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$8,200/yr	$5,800/yr	+$2,400
Religious Schools	$6,000/yr	$4,100/yr	+$1,900
Independent/Prep	$17,000/yr	$11,800/yr	+$5,200
Elementary (K-5)	$7,000/yr	$4,900/yr	+$2,100
Middle School (6-8)	$8,200/yr	$5,800/yr	+$2,400
High School (9-12)	$9,800/yr	$7,000/yr	+$2,800

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Columbia

$106,600

Rapid City

$75,400

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

Sample Schools

Columbia

Hammond School (Columbia SC)

Independent · PK–12 · $16,400/yr

Cardinal Newman School (Columbia SC)

Catholic · PK–12 · $11,200/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 Columbia breakdown → Full Rapid City breakdown →

South Carolina 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.