Is private school cheaper in Raleigh or Sioux Falls?

Sioux Falls has lower average private school tuition at $5,900/year vs $13,000/year in Raleigh. That's $7,100/year less, or $92,300 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Sioux Falls is $7,100/year less than Raleigh. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $92,300 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $8,200/year in Raleigh, $4,200/year in Sioux Falls.

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

The national average private school tuition is $12,350/year. Raleigh averages $13,000/year ($650 above average). Sioux Falls averages $5,900/year ($6,450 below average).

Private School Cost: Raleigh vs Sioux Falls

Sioux Falls averages $7,100/year less for private school (120% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $92,300 per child.

Bottom Line

Sioux Falls is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $5,900/year vs $13,000/year in Raleigh. Religious schools run $4,200/year on the low end.

Raleigh

$13,000

avg tuition/year

$650 above national avg

Sioux Falls

$5,900

avg tuition/year

$6,450 below national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Raleigh	Sioux Falls	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$13,000/yr	$5,900/yr	+$7,100
Religious Schools	$8,200/yr	$4,200/yr	+$4,000
Independent/Prep	$24,500/yr	$12,000/yr	+$12,500
Elementary (K-5)	$10,600/yr	$5,000/yr	+$5,600
Middle School (6-8)	$13,000/yr	$5,900/yr	+$7,100
High School (9-12)	$16,000/yr	$7,100/yr	+$8,900

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Raleigh

$169,000

Sioux Falls

$76,700

Choosing Sioux Falls saves $92,300 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $184,600.

Sample Schools

Raleigh

Ravenscroft School

Independent · PK–12 · $26,800-$29,200/yr

Cardinal Gibbons High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $14,400/yr

Cary Academy

Independent · 6–12 · $22,400-$24,800/yr

Raleigh Charter High School

Charter (Free) · 9–12

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 Raleigh breakdown → Full Sioux Falls breakdown →

North Carolina private school costs South Dakota private school costs

Related Comparisons

Raleigh vs Charlotte → Austin vs Raleigh →

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.