Is private school cheaper in San Diego or Sioux Falls?

Sioux Falls has lower average private school tuition at $5,900/year vs $21,200/year in San Diego. That's $15,300/year less, or $198,900 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Sioux Falls is $15,300/year less than San Diego. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $198,900 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $11,500/year in San Diego, $4,200/year in Sioux Falls.

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

The national average private school tuition is $12,350/year. San Diego averages $21,200/year ($8,850 above average). Sioux Falls averages $5,900/year ($6,450 below average).

Private School Cost: San Diego vs Sioux Falls

Sioux Falls averages $15,300/year less for private school (259% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $198,900 per child.

Bottom Line

Sioux Falls is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $5,900/year vs $21,200/year in San Diego. Religious schools run $4,200/year on the low end.

San Diego

$21,200

avg tuition/year

$8,850 above national avg

Sioux Falls

$5,900

avg tuition/year

$6,450 below national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	San Diego	Sioux Falls	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$21,200/yr	$5,900/yr	+$15,300
Religious Schools	$11,500/yr	$4,200/yr	+$7,300
Independent/Prep	$36,500/yr	$12,000/yr	+$24,500
Elementary (K-5)	$17,500/yr	$5,000/yr	+$12,500
Middle School (6-8)	$21,200/yr	$5,900/yr	+$15,300
High School (9-12)	$26,000/yr	$7,100/yr	+$18,900

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

San Diego

$275,600

Sioux Falls

$76,700

Choosing Sioux Falls saves $198,900 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $397,800.

Sample Schools

San Diego

Bishop's School

Independent · 7–12 · $43,200/yr

La Jolla Country Day School

Independent · PK–12 · $38,800-$41,200/yr

Francis Parker School

Independent · K–12 · $36,400-$38,800/yr

Cathedral Catholic High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $19,800/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 San Diego breakdown → Full Sioux Falls breakdown →

California private school costs South Dakota private school costs

Related Comparisons

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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.