Is private school cheaper in Rockford or Sioux Falls?

Sioux Falls has lower average private school tuition at $5,900/year vs $10,900/year in Rockford. That's $5,000/year less, or $65,000 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Sioux Falls is $5,000/year less than Rockford. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $65,000 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $6,900/year in Rockford, $4,200/year in Sioux Falls.

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

The national average private school tuition is $12,350/year. Rockford averages $10,900/year ($1,450 below average). Sioux Falls averages $5,900/year ($6,450 below average).

Private School Cost: Rockford vs Sioux Falls

Sioux Falls averages $5,000/year less for private school (85% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $65,000 per child.

Bottom Line

Sioux Falls is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $5,900/year vs $10,900/year in Rockford. Religious schools run $4,200/year on the low end.

Rockford

$10,900

avg tuition/year

$1,450 below national avg

Sioux Falls

$5,900

avg tuition/year

$6,450 below national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Rockford	Sioux Falls	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$10,900/yr	$5,900/yr	+$5,000
Religious Schools	$6,900/yr	$4,200/yr	+$2,700
Independent/Prep	$25,100/yr	$12,000/yr	+$13,100
Elementary (K-5)	$9,300/yr	$5,000/yr	+$4,300
Middle School (6-8)	$10,900/yr	$5,900/yr	+$5,000
High School (9-12)	$13,100/yr	$7,100/yr	+$6,000

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Rockford

$141,700

Sioux Falls

$76,700

Choosing Sioux Falls saves $65,000 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $130,000.

Sample Schools

Rockford

Keith Country Day School

Independent · PK–12 · $11,200-$14,400/yr

Boylan Catholic High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $10,800/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 Rockford breakdown → Full Sioux Falls breakdown →

Illinois private school costs South Dakota 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.