Is private school cheaper in Honolulu or Sioux Falls?

Sioux Falls has lower average private school tuition at $5,900/year vs $20,200/year in Honolulu. That's $14,300/year less, or $185,900 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Sioux Falls is $14,300/year less than Honolulu. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $185,900 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $12,900/year in Honolulu, $4,200/year in Sioux Falls.

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

The national average private school tuition is $12,350/year. Honolulu averages $20,200/year ($7,850 above average). Sioux Falls averages $5,900/year ($6,450 below average).

Private School Cost: Honolulu vs Sioux Falls

Sioux Falls averages $14,300/year less for private school (242% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $185,900 per child.

Bottom Line

Sioux Falls is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $5,900/year vs $20,200/year in Honolulu. Religious schools run $4,200/year on the low end.

Honolulu

$20,200

avg tuition/year

$7,850 above national avg

Sioux Falls

$5,900

avg tuition/year

$6,450 below national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Honolulu	Sioux Falls	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$20,200/yr	$5,900/yr	+$14,300
Religious Schools	$12,900/yr	$4,200/yr	+$8,700
Independent/Prep	$37,600/yr	$12,000/yr	+$25,600
Elementary (K-5)	$17,200/yr	$5,000/yr	+$12,200
Middle School (6-8)	$20,200/yr	$5,900/yr	+$14,300
High School (9-12)	$24,200/yr	$7,100/yr	+$17,100

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Honolulu

$262,600

Sioux Falls

$76,700

Choosing Sioux Falls saves $185,900 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $371,800.

Sample Schools

Honolulu

Punahou School

Independent · K–12 · $27,400/yr

Iolani School

Independent (Episcopal) · K–12 · $24,800/yr

Saint Louis School (Honolulu)

Catholic · 9–12 · $13,800/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 Honolulu breakdown → Full Sioux Falls breakdown →

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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.