Is private school cheaper in Knoxville or Rapid City?

Rapid City has lower average private school tuition at $5,800/year vs $10,100/year in Knoxville. That's $4,300/year less, or $55,900 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Rapid City is $4,300/year less than Knoxville. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $55,900 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $7,100/year in Knoxville, $4,100/year in Rapid City.

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

The national average private school tuition is $12,350/year. Knoxville averages $10,100/year ($2,250 below average). Rapid City averages $5,800/year ($6,550 below average).

Private School Cost: Knoxville vs Rapid City

Rapid City averages $4,300/year less for private school (74% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $55,900 per child.

Bottom Line

Rapid City is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $5,800/year vs $10,100/year in Knoxville. Religious schools run $4,100/year on the low end.

Knoxville

$10,100

avg tuition/year

$2,250 below national avg

Rapid City

$5,800

avg tuition/year

$6,550 below national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Knoxville	Rapid City	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$10,100/yr	$5,800/yr	+$4,300
Religious Schools	$7,100/yr	$4,100/yr	+$3,000
Independent/Prep	$21,400/yr	$11,800/yr	+$9,600
Elementary (K-5)	$8,600/yr	$4,900/yr	+$3,700
Middle School (6-8)	$10,100/yr	$5,800/yr	+$4,300
High School (9-12)	$12,100/yr	$7,000/yr	+$5,100

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Knoxville

$131,300

Rapid City

$75,400

Choosing Rapid City saves $55,900 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $111,800.

Sample Schools

Knoxville

Webb School of Knoxville

Independent · PK–12 · $19,400/yr

Knoxville Catholic High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $13,200/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 Knoxville breakdown → Full Rapid City breakdown →

Tennessee 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.