Is private school cheaper in Little Rock or Sioux Falls?

Sioux Falls has lower average private school tuition at $5,900/year vs $6,600/year in Little Rock. That's $700/year less, or $9,100 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Sioux Falls is $700/year less than Little Rock. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $9,100 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $5,000/year in Little Rock, $4,200/year in Sioux Falls.

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

The national average private school tuition is $12,350/year. Little Rock averages $6,600/year ($5,750 below average). Sioux Falls averages $5,900/year ($6,450 below average).

Private School Cost: Little Rock vs Sioux Falls

Sioux Falls averages $700/year less for private school (12% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $9,100 per child.

Bottom Line

Sioux Falls is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $5,900/year vs $6,600/year in Little Rock. Religious schools run $4,200/year on the low end.

Little Rock

$6,600

avg tuition/year

$5,750 below national avg

Sioux Falls

$5,900

avg tuition/year

$6,450 below national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Little Rock	Sioux Falls	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$6,600/yr	$5,900/yr	+$700
Religious Schools	$5,000/yr	$4,200/yr	+$800
Independent/Prep	$13,100/yr	$12,000/yr	+$1,100
Elementary (K-5)	$5,600/yr	$5,000/yr	+$600
Middle School (6-8)	$6,600/yr	$5,900/yr	+$700
High School (9-12)	$7,900/yr	$7,100/yr	+$800

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Little Rock

$85,800

Sioux Falls

$76,700

Choosing Sioux Falls saves $9,100 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $18,200.

Sample Schools

Little Rock

Pulaski Academy (Little Rock)

Independent · PK–12 · $11,800/yr

Mount St. Mary Academy

Catholic · 9–12 · $11,200/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 Little Rock breakdown → Full Sioux Falls breakdown →

Arkansas 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.