Is private school cheaper in Sioux Falls or St. Louis?

Sioux Falls has lower average private school tuition at $5,900/year vs $13,000/year in St. Louis. That's $7,100/year less, or $92,300 over a K-12 career.

How much can I save on private school by choosing Sioux Falls over St. Louis?

Average tuition in Sioux Falls is $7,100/year less than St. Louis. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $92,300 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $4,200/year in Sioux Falls, $8,400/year in St. Louis.

How do Sioux Falls and St. Louis private school costs compare to the national average?

The national average private school tuition is $12,350/year. Sioux Falls averages $5,900/year ($6,450 below average). St. Louis averages $13,000/year ($650 above average).

Private School Cost: Sioux Falls vs St. Louis

Sioux Falls averages $7,100/year less for private school (120% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $92,300 per child.

Bottom Line

Sioux Falls is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $5,900/year vs $13,000/year in St. Louis. Religious schools run $4,200/year on the low end.

Sioux Falls

$5,900

avg tuition/year

$6,450 below national avg

Lower cost

St. Louis

$13,000

avg tuition/year

$650 above national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Sioux Falls	St. Louis	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$5,900/yr	$13,000/yr	-$7,100
Religious Schools	$4,200/yr	$8,400/yr	-$4,200
Independent/Prep	$12,000/yr	$24,500/yr	-$12,500
Elementary (K-5)	$5,000/yr	$10,600/yr	-$5,600
Middle School (6-8)	$5,900/yr	$13,000/yr	-$7,100
High School (9-12)	$7,100/yr	$16,000/yr	-$8,900

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Sioux Falls

$76,700

St. Louis

$169,000

Choosing Sioux Falls saves $92,300 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $184,600.

Sample Schools

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

St. Louis

John Burroughs School

Independent · 7–12 · $28,400-$30,800/yr

MICDS (Mary Institute and Country Day School)

Independent · JK–12 · $30,200-$32,800/yr

Chaminade College Preparatory

Catholic · 6–12 · $16,800/yr

St. Louis University High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $17,400/yr

Full Sioux Falls breakdown → Full St. Louis breakdown →

South Dakota private school costs Missouri 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.