Is private school cheaper in Milwaukee or Sioux Falls?

Sioux Falls has lower average private school tuition at $5,900/year vs $11,200/year in Milwaukee. That's $5,300/year less, or $68,900 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Sioux Falls is $5,300/year less than Milwaukee. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $68,900 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $7,400/year in Milwaukee, $4,200/year in Sioux Falls.

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

The national average private school tuition is $12,350/year. Milwaukee averages $11,200/year ($1,150 below average). Sioux Falls averages $5,900/year ($6,450 below average).

Private School Cost: Milwaukee vs Sioux Falls

Sioux Falls averages $5,300/year less for private school (90% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $68,900 per child.

Bottom Line

Sioux Falls is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $5,900/year vs $11,200/year in Milwaukee. Religious schools run $4,200/year on the low end.

Milwaukee

$11,200

avg tuition/year

$1,150 below national avg

Sioux Falls

$5,900

avg tuition/year

$6,450 below national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Milwaukee	Sioux Falls	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$11,200/yr	$5,900/yr	+$5,300
Religious Schools	$7,400/yr	$4,200/yr	+$3,200
Independent/Prep	$21,000/yr	$12,000/yr	+$9,000
Elementary (K-5)	$9,200/yr	$5,000/yr	+$4,200
Middle School (6-8)	$11,200/yr	$5,900/yr	+$5,300
High School (9-12)	$13,800/yr	$7,100/yr	+$6,700

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Milwaukee

$145,600

Sioux Falls

$76,700

Choosing Sioux Falls saves $68,900 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $137,800.

Sample Schools

Milwaukee

University School of Milwaukee

Independent · PK–12 · $22,800-$25,200/yr

Milwaukee University School

Independent · PK–12 · $21,400/yr

Marquette University High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $14,800/yr

Divine Savior Holy Angels High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $13,200/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 Milwaukee breakdown → Full Sioux Falls breakdown →

Wisconsin private school costs South Dakota private school costs

Related Comparisons

Chicago vs Milwaukee →

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.