Private School Cost: Rapid City vs Tacoma
Rapid City averages $7,900/year less for private school (136% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $102,700 per child.
Bottom Line
Rapid City is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $5,800/year vs $13,700/year in Tacoma. Religious schools run $4,100/year on the low end.
Rapid City
SD
$5,800
avg tuition/year
Tacoma
WA
$13,700
avg tuition/year
Tuition by School Type & Grade
| Category | Rapid City | Tacoma | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| All Schools (Average) | $5,800/yr | $13,700/yr | -$7,900 |
| Religious Schools | $4,100/yr | $9,400/yr | -$5,300 |
| Independent/Prep | $11,800/yr | $29,400/yr | -$17,600 |
| Elementary (K-5) | $4,900/yr | $11,600/yr | -$6,700 |
| Middle School (6-8) | $5,800/yr | $13,700/yr | -$7,900 |
| High School (9-12) | $7,000/yr | $16,400/yr | -$9,400 |
K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)
Rapid City
$75,400
Tacoma
$178,100
Choosing Rapid City saves $102,700 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $205,400.
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
Tacoma
Charles Wright Academy
Independent · PK–12 · $28,400/yr
Bellarmine Preparatory School
Catholic · 9–12 · $18,400/yr
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.