Is private school cheaper in Fresno or Sioux Falls?

Sioux Falls has lower average private school tuition at $5,900/year vs $10,500/year in Fresno. That's $4,600/year less, or $59,800 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Sioux Falls is $4,600/year less than Fresno. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $59,800 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $7,000/year in Fresno, $4,200/year in Sioux Falls.

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

The national average private school tuition is $12,350/year. Fresno averages $10,500/year ($1,850 below average). Sioux Falls averages $5,900/year ($6,450 below average).

Private School Cost: Fresno vs Sioux Falls

Sioux Falls averages $4,600/year less for private school (78% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $59,800 per child.

Bottom Line

Sioux Falls is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $5,900/year vs $10,500/year in Fresno. Religious schools run $4,200/year on the low end.

Fresno

$10,500

avg tuition/year

$1,850 below national avg

Sioux Falls

$5,900

avg tuition/year

$6,450 below national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Fresno	Sioux Falls	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$10,500/yr	$5,900/yr	+$4,600
Religious Schools	$7,000/yr	$4,200/yr	+$2,800
Independent/Prep	$19,500/yr	$12,000/yr	+$7,500
Elementary (K-5)	$8,600/yr	$5,000/yr	+$3,600
Middle School (6-8)	$10,500/yr	$5,900/yr	+$4,600
High School (9-12)	$12,900/yr	$7,100/yr	+$5,800

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Fresno

$136,500

Sioux Falls

$76,700

Choosing Sioux Falls saves $59,800 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $119,600.

Sample Schools

Fresno

Clovis Christian Schools

Christian · K–12 · $9,200-$10,800/yr

Central High School (Fresno) (Catholic)

Catholic · 9–12 · $12,800/yr

Bullard Talent School

Magnet (Free) · K–8

Fresno Christian Schools

Christian · K–12 · $9,800-$11,400/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 Fresno 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.