Is private school cheaper in Richmond or Sioux Falls?

Sioux Falls has lower average private school tuition at $5,900/year vs $14,500/year in Richmond. That's $8,600/year less, or $111,800 over a K-12 career.

How much can I save on private school by choosing Sioux Falls over Richmond?

Average tuition in Sioux Falls is $8,600/year less than Richmond. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $111,800 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $9,200/year in Richmond, $4,200/year in Sioux Falls.

How do Richmond and Sioux Falls private school costs compare to the national average?

The national average private school tuition is $12,350/year. Richmond averages $14,500/year ($2,150 above average). Sioux Falls averages $5,900/year ($6,450 below average).

Private School Cost: Richmond vs Sioux Falls

Sioux Falls averages $8,600/year less for private school (146% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $111,800 per child.

Bottom Line

Sioux Falls is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $5,900/year vs $14,500/year in Richmond. Religious schools run $4,200/year on the low end.

Richmond

$14,500

avg tuition/year

$2,150 above national avg

Sioux Falls

$5,900

avg tuition/year

$6,450 below national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Richmond	Sioux Falls	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$14,500/yr	$5,900/yr	+$8,600
Religious Schools	$9,200/yr	$4,200/yr	+$5,000
Independent/Prep	$27,000/yr	$12,000/yr	+$15,000
Elementary (K-5)	$11,800/yr	$5,000/yr	+$6,800
Middle School (6-8)	$14,500/yr	$5,900/yr	+$8,600
High School (9-12)	$18,000/yr	$7,100/yr	+$10,900

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Richmond

$188,500

Sioux Falls

$76,700

Choosing Sioux Falls saves $111,800 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $223,600.

Sample Schools

Richmond

St. Catherine's School (Richmond)

Independent · PK–12 · $28,800-$31,400/yr

St. Christopher's School

Independent · K–12 · $29,200-$31,800/yr

Collegiate School (Richmond)

Independent · PK–12 · $30,400-$32,800/yr

Benedictine College Preparatory

Catholic · 9–12 · $16,200/yr

Sioux Falls

O'Gorman High School (Sioux Falls)

Catholic · 9–12 · $8,800/yr

Sioux Falls Christian Schools

Christian · K–12 · $9,200-$11,400/yr

Full Richmond breakdown → Full Sioux Falls breakdown →

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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.