Is private school cheaper in Orange County or Rapid City?

Rapid City has lower average private school tuition at $5,800/year vs $20,800/year in Orange County. That's $15,000/year less, or $195,000 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Rapid City is $15,000/year less than Orange County. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $195,000 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $11,200/year in Orange County, $4,100/year in Rapid City.

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

The national average private school tuition is $12,350/year. Orange County averages $20,800/year ($8,450 above average). Rapid City averages $5,800/year ($6,550 below average).

Private School Cost: Orange County vs Rapid City

Rapid City averages $15,000/year less for private school (259% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $195,000 per child.

Bottom Line

Rapid City is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $5,800/year vs $20,800/year in Orange County. Religious schools run $4,100/year on the low end.

Orange County

$20,800

avg tuition/year

$8,450 above national avg

Rapid City

$5,800

avg tuition/year

$6,550 below national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Orange County	Rapid City	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$20,800/yr	$5,800/yr	+$15,000
Religious Schools	$11,200/yr	$4,100/yr	+$7,100
Independent/Prep	$34,800/yr	$11,800/yr	+$23,000
Elementary (K-5)	$17,000/yr	$4,900/yr	+$12,100
Middle School (6-8)	$20,800/yr	$5,800/yr	+$15,000
High School (9-12)	$25,500/yr	$7,000/yr	+$18,500

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Orange County

$270,400

Rapid City

$75,400

Choosing Rapid City saves $195,000 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $390,000.

Sample Schools

Orange County

Sage Hill School

Independent · 9–12 · $41,800/yr

Fairmont Preparatory Academy

Independent · 9–12 · $34,600-$37,200/yr

Calvary Chapel Academy

Christian · K–12 · $10,400-$12,800/yr

JSerra Catholic High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $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 Orange County breakdown → Full Rapid City breakdown →

California 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.