Is private school cheaper in Jacksonville or Sioux Falls?

Sioux Falls has lower average private school tuition at $5,900/year vs $11,500/year in Jacksonville. That's $5,600/year less, or $72,800 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Sioux Falls is $5,600/year less than Jacksonville. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $72,800 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $7,600/year in Jacksonville, $4,200/year in Sioux Falls.

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

The national average private school tuition is $12,350/year. Jacksonville averages $11,500/year ($850 below average). Sioux Falls averages $5,900/year ($6,450 below average).

Private School Cost: Jacksonville vs Sioux Falls

Sioux Falls averages $5,600/year less for private school (95% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $72,800 per child.

Bottom Line

Sioux Falls is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $5,900/year vs $11,500/year in Jacksonville. Religious schools run $4,200/year on the low end.

Jacksonville

$11,500

avg tuition/year

$850 below national avg

Sioux Falls

$5,900

avg tuition/year

$6,450 below national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Jacksonville	Sioux Falls	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$11,500/yr	$5,900/yr	+$5,600
Religious Schools	$7,600/yr	$4,200/yr	+$3,400
Independent/Prep	$21,500/yr	$12,000/yr	+$9,500
Elementary (K-5)	$9,400/yr	$5,000/yr	+$4,400
Middle School (6-8)	$11,500/yr	$5,900/yr	+$5,600
High School (9-12)	$14,200/yr	$7,100/yr	+$7,100

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Jacksonville

$149,500

Sioux Falls

$76,700

Choosing Sioux Falls saves $72,800 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $145,600.

Sample Schools

Jacksonville

Bolles School

Independent · PK–12 · $24,400-$26,800/yr

Episcopal School of Jacksonville

Independent · PK–12 · $21,800-$23,400/yr

Bishop Kenny High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $14,400/yr

Ponte Vedra High School (Public)

Public (Reference) · 9–12

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 Jacksonville breakdown → Full Sioux Falls breakdown →

Florida private school costs South Dakota private school costs

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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.