Is private school cheaper in Des Moines or Rapid City?

Rapid City has lower average private school tuition at $5,800/year vs $6,900/year in Des Moines. That's $1,100/year less, or $14,300 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Rapid City is $1,100/year less than Des Moines. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $14,300 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $4,800/year in Des Moines, $4,100/year in Rapid City.

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

The national average private school tuition is $12,350/year. Des Moines averages $6,900/year ($5,450 below average). Rapid City averages $5,800/year ($6,550 below average).

Private School Cost: Des Moines vs Rapid City

Rapid City averages $1,100/year less for private school (19% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $14,300 per child.

Bottom Line

Rapid City is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $5,800/year vs $6,900/year in Des Moines. Religious schools run $4,100/year on the low end.

Des Moines

$6,900

avg tuition/year

$5,450 below national avg

Rapid City

$5,800

avg tuition/year

$6,550 below national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Des Moines	Rapid City	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$6,900/yr	$5,800/yr	+$1,100
Religious Schools	$4,800/yr	$4,100/yr	+$700
Independent/Prep	$14,400/yr	$11,800/yr	+$2,600
Elementary (K-5)	$5,900/yr	$4,900/yr	+$1,000
Middle School (6-8)	$6,900/yr	$5,800/yr	+$1,100
High School (9-12)	$8,300/yr	$7,000/yr	+$1,300

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Des Moines

$89,700

Rapid City

$75,400

Choosing Rapid City saves $14,300 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $28,600.

Sample Schools

Des Moines

Dowling Catholic High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $10,400/yr

Des Moines Christian School

Christian · PK–12 · $9,600-$12,000/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 Des Moines breakdown → Full Rapid City breakdown →

Iowa 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.