Is private school cheaper in Oklahoma City or Rapid City?

Rapid City has lower average private school tuition at $5,800/year vs $10,400/year in Oklahoma City. That's $4,600/year less, or $59,800 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Rapid City is $4,600/year less than Oklahoma City. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $59,800 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $7,000/year in Oklahoma City, $4,100/year in Rapid City.

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

The national average private school tuition is $12,350/year. Oklahoma City averages $10,400/year ($1,950 below average). Rapid City averages $5,800/year ($6,550 below average).

Private School Cost: Oklahoma City vs Rapid City

Rapid City averages $4,600/year less for private school (79% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $59,800 per child.

Bottom Line

Rapid City is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $5,800/year vs $10,400/year in Oklahoma City. Religious schools run $4,100/year on the low end.

Oklahoma City

$10,400

avg tuition/year

$1,950 below national avg

Rapid City

$5,800

avg tuition/year

$6,550 below national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Oklahoma City	Rapid City	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$10,400/yr	$5,800/yr	+$4,600
Religious Schools	$7,000/yr	$4,100/yr	+$2,900
Independent/Prep	$19,500/yr	$11,800/yr	+$7,700
Elementary (K-5)	$8,500/yr	$4,900/yr	+$3,600
Middle School (6-8)	$10,400/yr	$5,800/yr	+$4,600
High School (9-12)	$12,800/yr	$7,000/yr	+$5,800

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Oklahoma City

$135,200

Rapid City

$75,400

Choosing Rapid City saves $59,800 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $119,600.

Sample Schools

Oklahoma City

Bishop McGuinness Catholic High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $10,800/yr

Mount St. Mary High School (OKC)

Catholic · 9–12 · $9,200/yr

Heritage Hall School

Independent · PK–12 · $18,800-$20,400/yr

Casady School

Independent · PK–12 · $20,200-$22,400/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 Oklahoma City breakdown → Full Rapid City breakdown →

Oklahoma 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.