Is private school cheaper in Sioux Falls or Tampa?

Sioux Falls has lower average private school tuition at $5,900/year vs $12,500/year in Tampa. That's $6,600/year less, or $85,800 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Sioux Falls is $6,600/year less than Tampa. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $85,800 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $4,200/year in Sioux Falls, $8,200/year in Tampa.

How do Sioux Falls and Tampa 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). Tampa averages $12,500/year ($150 above average).

Private School Cost: Sioux Falls vs Tampa

Sioux Falls averages $6,600/year less for private school (112% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $85,800 per child.

Bottom Line

Sioux Falls is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $5,900/year vs $12,500/year in Tampa. Religious schools run $4,200/year on the low end.

Sioux Falls

$5,900

avg tuition/year

$6,450 below national avg

Lower cost

Tampa

$12,500

avg tuition/year

$150 above national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Sioux Falls	Tampa	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$5,900/yr	$12,500/yr	-$6,600
Religious Schools	$4,200/yr	$8,200/yr	-$4,000
Independent/Prep	$12,000/yr	$23,500/yr	-$11,500
Elementary (K-5)	$5,000/yr	$10,200/yr	-$5,200
Middle School (6-8)	$5,900/yr	$12,500/yr	-$6,600
High School (9-12)	$7,100/yr	$15,500/yr	-$8,400

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Sioux Falls

$76,700

Tampa

$162,500

Choosing Sioux Falls saves $85,800 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $171,600.

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

Tampa

Academy at the Lakes

Independent · PK–12 · $23,800-$26,200/yr

Jesuit High School (Tampa)

Catholic · 9–12 · $16,800/yr

Berkeley Preparatory School

Independent · PK–12 · $27,200-$29,800/yr

Tampa Prep

Independent · 6–12 · $22,400-$24,200/yr

Full Sioux Falls breakdown → Full Tampa breakdown →

South Dakota private school costs Florida private school costs

Related Comparisons

Miami vs Tampa → Tampa vs Orlando →

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.