Is private school cheaper in Fontana or Sioux Falls?

Sioux Falls has lower average private school tuition at $5,900/year vs $14,900/year in Fontana. That's $9,000/year less, or $117,000 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Sioux Falls is $9,000/year less than Fontana. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $117,000 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $9,700/year in Fontana, $4,200/year in Sioux Falls.

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

The national average private school tuition is $12,350/year. Fontana averages $14,900/year ($2,550 above average). Sioux Falls averages $5,900/year ($6,450 below average).

Private School Cost: Fontana vs Sioux Falls

Sioux Falls averages $9,000/year less for private school (153% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $117,000 per child.

Bottom Line

Sioux Falls is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $5,900/year vs $14,900/year in Fontana. Religious schools run $4,200/year on the low end.

Fontana

$14,900

avg tuition/year

$2,550 above national avg

Sioux Falls

$5,900

avg tuition/year

$6,450 below national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Fontana	Sioux Falls	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$14,900/yr	$5,900/yr	+$9,000
Religious Schools	$9,700/yr	$4,200/yr	+$5,500
Independent/Prep	$29,000/yr	$12,000/yr	+$17,000
Elementary (K-5)	$12,700/yr	$5,000/yr	+$7,700
Middle School (6-8)	$14,900/yr	$5,900/yr	+$9,000
High School (9-12)	$17,900/yr	$7,100/yr	+$10,800

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Fontana

$193,700

Sioux Falls

$76,700

Choosing Sioux Falls saves $117,000 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $234,000.

Sample Schools

Fontana

Fontana Christian School

Christian · K–12 · $8,400-$10,800/yr

St. Joseph School (Fontana)

Catholic · K–8 · $7,600-$9,200/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 Fontana breakdown → Full Sioux Falls breakdown →

California 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.