Is private school cheaper in Lowell or Rapid City?

Rapid City has lower average private school tuition at $5,800/year vs $23,600/year in Lowell. That's $17,800/year less, or $231,400 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Rapid City is $17,800/year less than Lowell. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $231,400 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $12,800/year in Lowell, $4,100/year in Rapid City.

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

The national average private school tuition is $12,350/year. Lowell averages $23,600/year ($11,250 above average). Rapid City averages $5,800/year ($6,550 below average).

Private School Cost: Lowell vs Rapid City

Rapid City averages $17,800/year less for private school (307% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $231,400 per child.

Bottom Line

Rapid City is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $5,800/year vs $23,600/year in Lowell. Religious schools run $4,100/year on the low end.

Lowell

$23,600

avg tuition/year

$11,250 above national avg

Rapid City

$5,800

avg tuition/year

$6,550 below national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Lowell	Rapid City	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$23,600/yr	$5,800/yr	+$17,800
Religious Schools	$12,800/yr	$4,100/yr	+$8,700
Independent/Prep	$48,100/yr	$11,800/yr	+$36,300
Elementary (K-5)	$20,100/yr	$4,900/yr	+$15,200
Middle School (6-8)	$23,600/yr	$5,800/yr	+$17,800
High School (9-12)	$28,300/yr	$7,000/yr	+$21,300

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Lowell

$306,800

Rapid City

$75,400

Choosing Rapid City saves $231,400 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $462,800.

Sample Schools

Lowell

Lowell Catholic High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $12,400/yr

St. Michael Academy (Lowell)

Catholic · K–8 · $10,800-$12,800/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 Lowell breakdown → Full Rapid City breakdown →

Massachusetts 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.