Is private school cheaper in Elgin or Sioux Falls?

Sioux Falls has lower average private school tuition at $5,900/year vs $11,700/year in Elgin. That's $5,800/year less, or $75,400 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Sioux Falls is $5,800/year less than Elgin. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $75,400 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $7,400/year in Elgin, $4,200/year in Sioux Falls.

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

The national average private school tuition is $12,350/year. Elgin averages $11,700/year ($650 below average). Sioux Falls averages $5,900/year ($6,450 below average).

Private School Cost: Elgin vs Sioux Falls

Sioux Falls averages $5,800/year less for private school (98% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $75,400 per child.

Bottom Line

Sioux Falls is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $5,900/year vs $11,700/year in Elgin. Religious schools run $4,200/year on the low end.

Elgin

$11,700

avg tuition/year

$650 below national avg

Sioux Falls

$5,900

avg tuition/year

$6,450 below national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Elgin	Sioux Falls	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$11,700/yr	$5,900/yr	+$5,800
Religious Schools	$7,400/yr	$4,200/yr	+$3,200
Independent/Prep	$27,100/yr	$12,000/yr	+$15,100
Elementary (K-5)	$9,900/yr	$5,000/yr	+$4,900
Middle School (6-8)	$11,700/yr	$5,900/yr	+$5,800
High School (9-12)	$14,000/yr	$7,100/yr	+$6,900

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Elgin

$152,100

Sioux Falls

$76,700

Choosing Sioux Falls saves $75,400 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $150,800.

Sample Schools

Elgin

Timothy Christian Schools (Elgin)

Christian · K–12 · $11,200-$13,800/yr

St. Edward Central Catholic High School

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

Illinois 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.