Is private school cheaper in Fargo or Rapid City?

Rapid City has lower average private school tuition at $5,800/year vs $6,500/year in Fargo. That's $700/year less, or $9,100 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Rapid City is $700/year less than Fargo. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $9,100 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $4,600/year in Fargo, $4,100/year in Rapid City.

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

The national average private school tuition is $12,350/year. Fargo averages $6,500/year ($5,850 below average). Rapid City averages $5,800/year ($6,550 below average).

Private School Cost: Fargo vs Rapid City

Rapid City averages $700/year less for private school (12% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $9,100 per child.

Bottom Line

Rapid City is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $5,800/year vs $6,500/year in Fargo. Religious schools run $4,100/year on the low end.

Fargo

$6,500

avg tuition/year

$5,850 below national avg

Rapid City

$5,800

avg tuition/year

$6,550 below national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Fargo	Rapid City	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$6,500/yr	$5,800/yr	+$700
Religious Schools	$4,600/yr	$4,100/yr	+$500
Independent/Prep	$12,800/yr	$11,800/yr	+$1,000
Elementary (K-5)	$5,500/yr	$4,900/yr	+$600
Middle School (6-8)	$6,500/yr	$5,800/yr	+$700
High School (9-12)	$7,800/yr	$7,000/yr	+$800

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Fargo

$84,500

Rapid City

$75,400

Choosing Rapid City saves $9,100 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $18,200.

Sample Schools

Fargo

Shanley High School (Fargo)

Catholic · 9–12 · $9,200/yr

Prairie Christian Academy

Christian · K–12 · $7,800-$9,800/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 Fargo breakdown → Full Rapid City breakdown →

North Dakota 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.