Is private school cheaper in Rapid City or Seattle?

Rapid City has lower average private school tuition at $5,800/year vs $24,500/year in Seattle. That's $18,700/year less, or $243,100 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Rapid City is $18,700/year less than Seattle. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $243,100 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $4,100/year in Rapid City, $13,200/year in Seattle.

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

The national average private school tuition is $12,350/year. Rapid City averages $5,800/year ($6,550 below average). Seattle averages $24,500/year ($12,150 above average).

Private School Cost: Rapid City vs Seattle

Rapid City averages $18,700/year less for private school (322% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $243,100 per child.

Bottom Line

Rapid City is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $5,800/year vs $24,500/year in Seattle. Religious schools run $4,100/year on the low end.

Rapid City

$5,800

avg tuition/year

$6,550 below national avg

Lower cost

Seattle

$24,500

avg tuition/year

$12,150 above national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Rapid City	Seattle	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$5,800/yr	$24,500/yr	-$18,700
Religious Schools	$4,100/yr	$13,200/yr	-$9,100
Independent/Prep	$11,800/yr	$38,000/yr	-$26,200
Elementary (K-5)	$4,900/yr	$20,000/yr	-$15,100
Middle School (6-8)	$5,800/yr	$24,500/yr	-$18,700
High School (9-12)	$7,000/yr	$30,500/yr	-$23,500

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Rapid City

$75,400

Seattle

$318,500

Choosing Rapid City saves $243,100 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $486,200.

Sample Schools

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

Seattle

University Prep

Independent · 6–12 · $42,800/yr

Northwest School

Independent · 6–12 · $39,400/yr

Seattle Prep

Catholic · 9–12 · $21,200/yr

O'Dea High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $17,800/yr

Full Rapid City breakdown → Full Seattle breakdown →

South Dakota private school costs Washington private school costs

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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.