Is private school cheaper in Madison or Rapid City?

Rapid City has lower average private school tuition at $5,800/year vs $9,300/year in Madison. That's $3,500/year less, or $45,500 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Rapid City is $3,500/year less than Madison. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $45,500 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $6,300/year in Madison, $4,100/year in Rapid City.

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

The national average private school tuition is $12,350/year. Madison averages $9,300/year ($3,050 below average). Rapid City averages $5,800/year ($6,550 below average).

Private School Cost: Madison vs Rapid City

Rapid City averages $3,500/year less for private school (60% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $45,500 per child.

Bottom Line

Rapid City is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $5,800/year vs $9,300/year in Madison. Religious schools run $4,100/year on the low end.

Madison

$9,300

avg tuition/year

$3,050 below national avg

Rapid City

$5,800

avg tuition/year

$6,550 below national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Madison	Rapid City	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$9,300/yr	$5,800/yr	+$3,500
Religious Schools	$6,300/yr	$4,100/yr	+$2,200
Independent/Prep	$21,100/yr	$11,800/yr	+$9,300
Elementary (K-5)	$7,900/yr	$4,900/yr	+$3,000
Middle School (6-8)	$9,300/yr	$5,800/yr	+$3,500
High School (9-12)	$11,200/yr	$7,000/yr	+$4,200

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Madison

$120,900

Rapid City

$75,400

Choosing Rapid City saves $45,500 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $91,000.

Sample Schools

Madison

Edgewood Campus School

Catholic · PK–8 · $10,400-$12,800/yr

Edgewood High School of the Sacred Heart

Catholic · 9–12 · $13,200/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 Madison breakdown → Full Rapid City breakdown →

Wisconsin 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.