Is private school cheaper in Columbus or Sioux Falls?

Sioux Falls has lower average private school tuition at $5,900/year vs $12,500/year in Columbus. That's $6,600/year less, or $85,800 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Sioux Falls is $6,600/year less than Columbus. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $85,800 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $8,000/year in Columbus, $4,200/year in Sioux Falls.

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

The national average private school tuition is $12,350/year. Columbus averages $12,500/year ($150 above average). Sioux Falls averages $5,900/year ($6,450 below average).

Private School Cost: Columbus vs Sioux Falls

Sioux Falls averages $6,600/year less for private school (112% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $85,800 per child.

Bottom Line

Sioux Falls is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $5,900/year vs $12,500/year in Columbus. Religious schools run $4,200/year on the low end.

Columbus

$12,500

avg tuition/year

$150 above national avg

Sioux Falls

$5,900

avg tuition/year

$6,450 below national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Columbus	Sioux Falls	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$12,500/yr	$5,900/yr	+$6,600
Religious Schools	$8,000/yr	$4,200/yr	+$3,800
Independent/Prep	$23,500/yr	$12,000/yr	+$11,500
Elementary (K-5)	$10,200/yr	$5,000/yr	+$5,200
Middle School (6-8)	$12,500/yr	$5,900/yr	+$6,600
High School (9-12)	$15,500/yr	$7,100/yr	+$8,400

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Columbus

$162,500

Sioux Falls

$76,700

Choosing Sioux Falls saves $85,800 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $171,600.

Sample Schools

Columbus

Columbus School for Girls

Independent · PK–12 · $22,400-$24,800/yr

Columbus Academy

Independent · PK–12 · $24,200-$26,800/yr

DeSales High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $12,800/yr

Watterson Catholic High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $13,400/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 Columbus breakdown → Full Sioux Falls breakdown →

Ohio private school costs South Dakota private school costs

Related Comparisons

Chicago vs Columbus → Columbus vs Cincinnati → Minneapolis vs Columbus →

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.