Is private school cheaper in Rapid City or Virginia Beach?

Rapid City has lower average private school tuition at $5,800/year vs $13,200/year in Virginia Beach. That's $7,400/year less, or $96,200 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Rapid City is $7,400/year less than Virginia Beach. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $96,200 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $4,100/year in Rapid City, $8,600/year in Virginia Beach.

How do Rapid City and Virginia Beach 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). Virginia Beach averages $13,200/year ($850 above average).

Private School Cost: Rapid City vs Virginia Beach

Rapid City averages $7,400/year less for private school (128% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $96,200 per child.

Bottom Line

Rapid City is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $5,800/year vs $13,200/year in Virginia Beach. Religious schools run $4,100/year on the low end.

Rapid City

$5,800

avg tuition/year

$6,550 below national avg

Lower cost

Virginia Beach

$13,200

avg tuition/year

$850 above national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Rapid City	Virginia Beach	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$5,800/yr	$13,200/yr	-$7,400
Religious Schools	$4,100/yr	$8,600/yr	-$4,500
Independent/Prep	$11,800/yr	$24,500/yr	-$12,700
Elementary (K-5)	$4,900/yr	$10,800/yr	-$5,900
Middle School (6-8)	$5,800/yr	$13,200/yr	-$7,400
High School (9-12)	$7,000/yr	$16,200/yr	-$9,200

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Rapid City

$75,400

Virginia Beach

$171,600

Choosing Rapid City saves $96,200 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $192,400.

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

Virginia Beach

Norfolk Academy

Independent · 1–12 · $24,800-$27,200/yr

Cape Henry Collegiate School

Independent · PK–12 · $22,400-$24,800/yr

Bishop Sullivan Catholic High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $13,800/yr

Kellam High School (Public)

Public (Reference) · 9–12

Full Rapid City breakdown → Full Virginia Beach breakdown →

South Dakota private school costs Virginia 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.