Is private school cheaper in Rapid City or Sunnyvale?

Rapid City has lower average private school tuition at $5,800/year vs $21,600/year in Sunnyvale. That's $15,800/year less, or $205,400 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Rapid City is $15,800/year less than Sunnyvale. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $205,400 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $4,100/year in Rapid City, $14,100/year in Sunnyvale.

How do Rapid City and Sunnyvale 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). Sunnyvale averages $21,600/year ($9,250 above average).

Private School Cost: Rapid City vs Sunnyvale

Rapid City averages $15,800/year less for private school (272% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $205,400 per child.

Bottom Line

Rapid City is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $5,800/year vs $21,600/year in Sunnyvale. Religious schools run $4,100/year on the low end.

Rapid City

$5,800

avg tuition/year

$6,550 below national avg

Lower cost

Sunnyvale

$21,600

avg tuition/year

$9,250 above national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Rapid City	Sunnyvale	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$5,800/yr	$21,600/yr	-$15,800
Religious Schools	$4,100/yr	$14,100/yr	-$10,000
Independent/Prep	$11,800/yr	$42,100/yr	-$30,300
Elementary (K-5)	$4,900/yr	$18,400/yr	-$13,500
Middle School (6-8)	$5,800/yr	$21,600/yr	-$15,800
High School (9-12)	$7,000/yr	$25,900/yr	-$18,900

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Rapid City

$75,400

Sunnyvale

$280,800

Choosing Rapid City saves $205,400 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $410,800.

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

Sunnyvale

Archbishop Mitty High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $26,800/yr

Stratford School (Sunnyvale)

Independent · PK–8 · $24,200-$27,600/yr

Full Rapid City breakdown → Full Sunnyvale breakdown →

South Dakota private school costs California 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.