Is private school cheaper in Los Angeles or Rapid City?

Rapid City has lower average private school tuition at $5,800/year vs $26,800/year in Los Angeles. That's $21,000/year less, or $273,000 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Rapid City is $21,000/year less than Los Angeles. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $273,000 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $13,500/year in Los Angeles, $4,100/year in Rapid City.

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

The national average private school tuition is $12,350/year. Los Angeles averages $26,800/year ($14,450 above average). Rapid City averages $5,800/year ($6,550 below average).

Private School Cost: Los Angeles vs Rapid City

Rapid City averages $21,000/year less for private school (362% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $273,000 per child.

Bottom Line

Rapid City is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $5,800/year vs $26,800/year in Los Angeles. Religious schools run $4,100/year on the low end.

Los Angeles

$26,800

avg tuition/year

$14,450 above national avg

Rapid City

$5,800

avg tuition/year

$6,550 below national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Los Angeles	Rapid City	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$26,800/yr	$5,800/yr	+$21,000
Religious Schools	$13,500/yr	$4,100/yr	+$9,400
Independent/Prep	$42,000/yr	$11,800/yr	+$30,200
Elementary (K-5)	$22,000/yr	$4,900/yr	+$17,100
Middle School (6-8)	$26,800/yr	$5,800/yr	+$21,000
High School (9-12)	$32,000/yr	$7,000/yr	+$25,000

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Los Angeles

$348,400

Rapid City

$75,400

Choosing Rapid City saves $273,000 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $546,000.

Sample Schools

Los Angeles

Harvard-Westlake School

Independent · 7–12 · $47,890/yr

Crossroads School for Arts & Sciences

Independent · K–12 · $44,370/yr

Marlborough School

Independent · 7–12 · $44,800/yr

St. Monica Catholic School

Catholic · K–8 · $9,200-$11,400/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 Los Angeles breakdown → Full Rapid City breakdown →

California private school costs South Dakota private school costs

Related Comparisons

Los Angeles vs San Francisco → Los Angeles vs San Diego → Los Angeles vs San Jose → Irvine vs Los Angeles →

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.