Is private school cheaper in Lafayette or Rapid City?

Rapid City has lower average private school tuition at $5,800/year vs $6,200/year in Lafayette. That's $400/year less, or $5,200 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Rapid City is $400/year less than Lafayette. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $5,200 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $4,600/year in Lafayette, $4,100/year in Rapid City.

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

The national average private school tuition is $12,350/year. Lafayette averages $6,200/year ($6,150 below average). Rapid City averages $5,800/year ($6,550 below average).

Private School Cost: Lafayette vs Rapid City

Rapid City averages $400/year less for private school (7% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $5,200 per child.

Bottom Line

Rapid City is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $5,800/year vs $6,200/year in Lafayette. Religious schools run $4,100/year on the low end.

Lafayette

$6,200

avg tuition/year

$6,150 below national avg

Rapid City

$5,800

avg tuition/year

$6,550 below national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Lafayette	Rapid City	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$6,200/yr	$5,800/yr	+$400
Religious Schools	$4,600/yr	$4,100/yr	+$500
Independent/Prep	$14,900/yr	$11,800/yr	+$3,100
Elementary (K-5)	$5,300/yr	$4,900/yr	+$400
Middle School (6-8)	$6,200/yr	$5,800/yr	+$400
High School (9-12)	$7,400/yr	$7,000/yr	+$400

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Lafayette

$80,600

Rapid City

$75,400

Choosing Rapid City saves $5,200 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $10,400.

Sample Schools

Lafayette

Teurlings Catholic High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $9,600/yr

Ascension Episcopal School (Lafayette)

Independent (Episcopal) · PK–12 · $14,800/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 Lafayette breakdown → Full Rapid City breakdown →

Louisiana 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.