Is private school cheaper in Rapid City or Springfield?

Rapid City has lower average private school tuition at $5,800/year vs $7,700/year in Springfield. That's $1,900/year less, or $24,700 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Rapid City is $1,900/year less than Springfield. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $24,700 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $4,100/year in Rapid City, $5,500/year in Springfield.

How do Rapid City and Springfield 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). Springfield averages $7,700/year ($4,650 below average).

Private School Cost: Rapid City vs Springfield

Rapid City averages $1,900/year less for private school (33% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $24,700 per child.

Bottom Line

Rapid City is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $5,800/year vs $7,700/year in Springfield. Religious schools run $4,100/year on the low end.

Rapid City

$5,800

avg tuition/year

$6,550 below national avg

Lower cost

Springfield

$7,700

avg tuition/year

$4,650 below national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Rapid City	Springfield	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$5,800/yr	$7,700/yr	-$1,900
Religious Schools	$4,100/yr	$5,500/yr	-$1,400
Independent/Prep	$11,800/yr	$18,000/yr	-$6,200
Elementary (K-5)	$4,900/yr	$6,500/yr	-$1,600
Middle School (6-8)	$5,800/yr	$7,700/yr	-$1,900
High School (9-12)	$7,000/yr	$9,200/yr	-$2,200

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Rapid City

$75,400

Springfield

$100,100

Choosing Rapid City saves $24,700 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $49,400.

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

Springfield

Greenwood Laboratory School (Springfield MO)

Independent · PK–12 · $8,800-$11,200/yr

St. Agnes Cathedral School

Catholic · K–8 · $7,800-$9,600/yr

Full Rapid City breakdown → Full Springfield breakdown →

South Dakota private school costs Missouri 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.