Is private school cheaper in Philadelphia or Rapid City?

Rapid City has lower average private school tuition at $5,800/year vs $20,200/year in Philadelphia. That's $14,400/year less, or $187,200 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Rapid City is $14,400/year less than Philadelphia. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $187,200 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $11,400/year in Philadelphia, $4,100/year in Rapid City.

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

The national average private school tuition is $12,350/year. Philadelphia averages $20,200/year ($7,850 above average). Rapid City averages $5,800/year ($6,550 below average).

Private School Cost: Philadelphia vs Rapid City

Rapid City averages $14,400/year less for private school (248% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $187,200 per child.

Bottom Line

Rapid City is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $5,800/year vs $20,200/year in Philadelphia. Religious schools run $4,100/year on the low end.

Philadelphia

$20,200

avg tuition/year

$7,850 above national avg

Rapid City

$5,800

avg tuition/year

$6,550 below national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Philadelphia	Rapid City	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$20,200/yr	$5,800/yr	+$14,400
Religious Schools	$11,400/yr	$4,100/yr	+$7,300
Independent/Prep	$36,000/yr	$11,800/yr	+$24,200
Elementary (K-5)	$16,500/yr	$4,900/yr	+$11,600
Middle School (6-8)	$20,200/yr	$5,800/yr	+$14,400
High School (9-12)	$25,000/yr	$7,000/yr	+$18,000

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Philadelphia

$262,600

Rapid City

$75,400

Choosing Rapid City saves $187,200 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $374,400.

Sample Schools

Philadelphia

Episcopal Academy

Independent · PK–12 · $40,800-$43,200/yr

The Haverford School

Independent · PK–12 · $41,200/yr

Germantown Friends School

Independent (Quaker) · K–12 · $38,600/yr

La Salle College High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $19,200/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 Philadelphia breakdown → Full Rapid City breakdown →

Pennsylvania private school costs South Dakota private school costs

Related Comparisons

New York vs Philadelphia → Boston vs Philadelphia →

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.