Is private school cheaper in Sioux Falls or Surprise?

Sioux Falls has lower average private school tuition at $5,900/year vs $9,500/year in Surprise. That's $3,600/year less, or $46,800 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Sioux Falls is $3,600/year less than Surprise. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $46,800 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $4,200/year in Sioux Falls, $7,100/year in Surprise.

How do Sioux Falls and Surprise 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). Surprise averages $9,500/year ($2,850 below average).

Private School Cost: Sioux Falls vs Surprise

Sioux Falls averages $3,600/year less for private school (61% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $46,800 per child.

Bottom Line

Sioux Falls is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $5,900/year vs $9,500/year in Surprise. Religious schools run $4,200/year on the low end.

Sioux Falls

$5,900

avg tuition/year

$6,450 below national avg

Lower cost

Surprise

$9,500

avg tuition/year

$2,850 below national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Sioux Falls	Surprise	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$5,900/yr	$9,500/yr	-$3,600
Religious Schools	$4,200/yr	$7,100/yr	-$2,900
Independent/Prep	$12,000/yr	$18,100/yr	-$6,100
Elementary (K-5)	$5,000/yr	$8,100/yr	-$3,100
Middle School (6-8)	$5,900/yr	$9,500/yr	-$3,600
High School (9-12)	$7,100/yr	$11,400/yr	-$4,300

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Sioux Falls

$76,700

Surprise

$123,500

Choosing Sioux Falls saves $46,800 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $93,600.

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

Surprise

Surprise Christian Academy

Christian · K–12 · $8,600-$10,800/yr

Holy Cross School (Surprise AZ)

Catholic · K–8 · $7,800-$9,600/yr

Full Sioux Falls breakdown → Full Surprise breakdown →

South Dakota private school costs Arizona 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.