Is private school cheaper in Rapid City or Washington DC?

Rapid City has lower average private school tuition at $5,800/year vs $28,400/year in Washington DC. That's $22,600/year less, or $293,800 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Rapid City is $22,600/year less than Washington DC. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $293,800 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $4,100/year in Rapid City, $15,200/year in Washington DC.

How do Rapid City and Washington DC 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). Washington DC averages $28,400/year ($16,050 above average).

Private School Cost: Rapid City vs Washington DC

Rapid City averages $22,600/year less for private school (390% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $293,800 per child.

Bottom Line

Rapid City is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $5,800/year vs $28,400/year in Washington DC. Religious schools run $4,100/year on the low end.

Rapid City

$5,800

avg tuition/year

$6,550 below national avg

Lower cost

Washington DC

$28,400

avg tuition/year

$16,050 above national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Rapid City	Washington DC	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$5,800/yr	$28,400/yr	-$22,600
Religious Schools	$4,100/yr	$15,200/yr	-$11,100
Independent/Prep	$11,800/yr	$46,000/yr	-$34,200
Elementary (K-5)	$4,900/yr	$23,000/yr	-$18,100
Middle School (6-8)	$5,800/yr	$28,400/yr	-$22,600
High School (9-12)	$7,000/yr	$35,500/yr	-$28,500

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Rapid City

$75,400

Washington DC

$369,200

Choosing Rapid City saves $293,800 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $587,600.

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

Washington DC

Sidwell Friends School

Independent (Quaker) · PK–12 · $52,900/yr

Georgetown Day School

Independent · PK–12 · $51,400/yr

National Cathedral School

Independent · 4–12 · $50,200/yr

Gonzaga College High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $25,400/yr

Full Rapid City breakdown → Full Washington DC breakdown →

South Dakota private school costs District of Columbia private school costs

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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.