Is private school cheaper in Memphis or Rapid City?

Rapid City has lower average private school tuition at $5,800/year vs $10,800/year in Memphis. That's $5,000/year less, or $65,000 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Rapid City is $5,000/year less than Memphis. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $65,000 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $7,200/year in Memphis, $4,100/year in Rapid City.

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

The national average private school tuition is $12,350/year. Memphis averages $10,800/year ($1,550 below average). Rapid City averages $5,800/year ($6,550 below average).

Private School Cost: Memphis vs Rapid City

Rapid City averages $5,000/year less for private school (86% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $65,000 per child.

Bottom Line

Rapid City is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $5,800/year vs $10,800/year in Memphis. Religious schools run $4,100/year on the low end.

Memphis

$10,800

avg tuition/year

$1,550 below national avg

Rapid City

$5,800

avg tuition/year

$6,550 below national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Memphis	Rapid City	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$10,800/yr	$5,800/yr	+$5,000
Religious Schools	$7,200/yr	$4,100/yr	+$3,100
Independent/Prep	$20,500/yr	$11,800/yr	+$8,700
Elementary (K-5)	$8,800/yr	$4,900/yr	+$3,900
Middle School (6-8)	$10,800/yr	$5,800/yr	+$5,000
High School (9-12)	$13,400/yr	$7,000/yr	+$6,400

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Memphis

$140,400

Rapid City

$75,400

Choosing Rapid City saves $65,000 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $130,000.

Sample Schools

Memphis

Hutchison School

Independent · PK–12 · $20,800-$22,400/yr

Memphis University School

Independent · 7–12 · $18,400/yr

Christian Brothers High School (Memphis)

Catholic · 9–12 · $13,800/yr

St. Agnes Academy (Memphis)

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

Tennessee 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.