Is private school cheaper in Lakewood or Sioux Falls?

Sioux Falls has lower average private school tuition at $5,900/year vs $13,400/year in Lakewood. That's $7,500/year less, or $97,500 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Sioux Falls is $7,500/year less than Lakewood. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $97,500 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $8,700/year in Lakewood, $4,200/year in Sioux Falls.

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

The national average private school tuition is $12,350/year. Lakewood averages $13,400/year ($1,050 above average). Sioux Falls averages $5,900/year ($6,450 below average).

Private School Cost: Lakewood vs Sioux Falls

Sioux Falls averages $7,500/year less for private school (127% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $97,500 per child.

Bottom Line

Sioux Falls is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $5,900/year vs $13,400/year in Lakewood. Religious schools run $4,200/year on the low end.

Lakewood

$13,400

avg tuition/year

$1,050 above national avg

Sioux Falls

$5,900

avg tuition/year

$6,450 below national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Lakewood	Sioux Falls	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$13,400/yr	$5,900/yr	+$7,500
Religious Schools	$8,700/yr	$4,200/yr	+$4,500
Independent/Prep	$26,500/yr	$12,000/yr	+$14,500
Elementary (K-5)	$11,400/yr	$5,000/yr	+$6,400
Middle School (6-8)	$13,400/yr	$5,900/yr	+$7,500
High School (9-12)	$16,100/yr	$7,100/yr	+$9,000

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Lakewood

$174,200

Sioux Falls

$76,700

Choosing Sioux Falls saves $97,500 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $195,000.

Sample Schools

Lakewood

Colorado Academy (Lakewood area)

Independent · PK–12 · $22,400/yr

Chatfield Christian Academy

Christian · K–12 · $9,800-$12,200/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 Lakewood breakdown → Full Sioux Falls breakdown →

Colorado 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.