Is private school cheaper in Rapid City or Thornton?

Rapid City has lower average private school tuition at $5,800/year vs $13,100/year in Thornton. That's $7,300/year less, or $94,900 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Rapid City is $7,300/year less than Thornton. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $94,900 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $4,100/year in Rapid City, $8,500/year in Thornton.

How do Rapid City and Thornton 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). Thornton averages $13,100/year ($750 above average).

Private School Cost: Rapid City vs Thornton

Rapid City averages $7,300/year less for private school (126% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $94,900 per child.

Bottom Line

Rapid City is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $5,800/year vs $13,100/year in Thornton. Religious schools run $4,100/year on the low end.

Rapid City

$5,800

avg tuition/year

$6,550 below national avg

Lower cost

Thornton

$13,100

avg tuition/year

$750 above national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Rapid City	Thornton	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$5,800/yr	$13,100/yr	-$7,300
Religious Schools	$4,100/yr	$8,500/yr	-$4,400
Independent/Prep	$11,800/yr	$25,700/yr	-$13,900
Elementary (K-5)	$4,900/yr	$11,100/yr	-$6,200
Middle School (6-8)	$5,800/yr	$13,100/yr	-$7,300
High School (9-12)	$7,000/yr	$15,700/yr	-$8,700

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Rapid City

$75,400

Thornton

$170,300

Choosing Rapid City saves $94,900 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $189,800.

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

Thornton

Thornton Christian Academy

Christian · K–12 · $9,200-$11,400/yr

St. Pius X Catholic School (Thornton)

Catholic · K–8 · $8,400-$10,200/yr

Full Rapid City breakdown → Full Thornton breakdown →

South Dakota private school costs Colorado 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.