Is private school cheaper in Salt Lake City or Sioux Falls?

Sioux Falls has lower average private school tuition at $5,900/year vs $9,400/year in Salt Lake City. That's $3,500/year less, or $45,500 over a K-12 career.

How much can I save on private school by choosing Sioux Falls over Salt Lake City?

Average tuition in Sioux Falls is $3,500/year less than Salt Lake City. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $45,500 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $6,500/year in Salt Lake City, $4,200/year in Sioux Falls.

How do Salt Lake City and Sioux Falls private school costs compare to the national average?

The national average private school tuition is $12,350/year. Salt Lake City averages $9,400/year ($2,950 below average). Sioux Falls averages $5,900/year ($6,450 below average).

Private School Cost: Salt Lake City vs Sioux Falls

Sioux Falls averages $3,500/year less for private school (59% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $45,500 per child.

Bottom Line

Sioux Falls is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $5,900/year vs $9,400/year in Salt Lake City. Religious schools run $4,200/year on the low end.

Salt Lake City

$9,400

avg tuition/year

$2,950 below national avg

Sioux Falls

$5,900

avg tuition/year

$6,450 below national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Salt Lake City	Sioux Falls	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$9,400/yr	$5,900/yr	+$3,500
Religious Schools	$6,500/yr	$4,200/yr	+$2,300
Independent/Prep	$18,700/yr	$12,000/yr	+$6,700
Elementary (K-5)	$8,000/yr	$5,000/yr	+$3,000
Middle School (6-8)	$9,400/yr	$5,900/yr	+$3,500
High School (9-12)	$11,300/yr	$7,100/yr	+$4,200

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Salt Lake City

$122,200

Sioux Falls

$76,700

Choosing Sioux Falls saves $45,500 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $91,000.

Sample Schools

Salt Lake City

Judge Memorial Catholic High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $12,400/yr

Utah Private Academy

Independent · K–12 · $9,800-$12,400/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 Salt Lake City breakdown → Full Sioux Falls breakdown →

Utah 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.