Is private school cheaper in Frederick or Rapid City?

Rapid City has lower average private school tuition at $5,800/year vs $16,700/year in Frederick. That's $10,900/year less, or $141,700 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Rapid City is $10,900/year less than Frederick. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $141,700 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $11,300/year in Frederick, $4,100/year in Rapid City.

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

The national average private school tuition is $12,350/year. Frederick averages $16,700/year ($4,350 above average). Rapid City averages $5,800/year ($6,550 below average).

Private School Cost: Frederick vs Rapid City

Rapid City averages $10,900/year less for private school (188% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $141,700 per child.

Bottom Line

Rapid City is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $5,800/year vs $16,700/year in Frederick. Religious schools run $4,100/year on the low end.

Frederick

$16,700

avg tuition/year

$4,350 above national avg

Rapid City

$5,800

avg tuition/year

$6,550 below national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Frederick	Rapid City	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$16,700/yr	$5,800/yr	+$10,900
Religious Schools	$11,300/yr	$4,100/yr	+$7,200
Independent/Prep	$35,100/yr	$11,800/yr	+$23,300
Elementary (K-5)	$14,200/yr	$4,900/yr	+$9,300
Middle School (6-8)	$16,700/yr	$5,800/yr	+$10,900
High School (9-12)	$20,000/yr	$7,000/yr	+$13,000

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Frederick

$217,100

Rapid City

$75,400

Choosing Rapid City saves $141,700 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $283,400.

Sample Schools

Frederick

Frederick Classical Charter School (Private Prep)

Independent · K–12 · $11,200/yr

Visitation Academy (Frederick MD)

Catholic · PK–8 · $12,400/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 Frederick breakdown → Full Rapid City breakdown →

Maryland 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.