Is private school cheaper in Providence or Rapid City?

Rapid City has lower average private school tuition at $5,800/year vs $22,000/year in Providence. That's $16,200/year less, or $210,600 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Rapid City is $16,200/year less than Providence. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $210,600 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $12,400/year in Providence, $4,100/year in Rapid City.

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

The national average private school tuition is $12,350/year. Providence averages $22,000/year ($9,650 above average). Rapid City averages $5,800/year ($6,550 below average).

Private School Cost: Providence vs Rapid City

Rapid City averages $16,200/year less for private school (279% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $210,600 per child.

Bottom Line

Rapid City is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $5,800/year vs $22,000/year in Providence. Religious schools run $4,100/year on the low end.

Providence

$22,000

avg tuition/year

$9,650 above national avg

Rapid City

$5,800

avg tuition/year

$6,550 below national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Providence	Rapid City	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$22,000/yr	$5,800/yr	+$16,200
Religious Schools	$12,400/yr	$4,100/yr	+$8,300
Independent/Prep	$36,000/yr	$11,800/yr	+$24,200
Elementary (K-5)	$18,000/yr	$4,900/yr	+$13,100
Middle School (6-8)	$22,000/yr	$5,800/yr	+$16,200
High School (9-12)	$27,500/yr	$7,000/yr	+$20,500

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Providence

$286,000

Rapid City

$75,400

Choosing Rapid City saves $210,600 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $421,200.

Sample Schools

Providence

Moses Brown School

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

Wheeler School

Independent · PK–12 · $38,200-$40,800/yr

Providence Country Day School

Independent · 6–12 · $34,800/yr

La Salle Academy (Providence)

Catholic · 9–12 · $14,200/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 Providence breakdown → Full Rapid City breakdown →

Rhode Island 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.