Is private school cheaper in Sioux Falls or Thornton?

Sioux Falls has lower average private school tuition at $5,900/year vs $13,100/year in Thornton. That's $7,200/year less, or $93,600 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Sioux Falls is $7,200/year less than Thornton. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $93,600 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $4,200/year in Sioux Falls, $8,500/year in Thornton.

How do Sioux Falls and Thornton 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). Thornton averages $13,100/year ($750 above average).

Private School Cost: Sioux Falls vs Thornton

Sioux Falls averages $7,200/year less for private school (122% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $93,600 per child.

Bottom Line

Sioux Falls is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $5,900/year vs $13,100/year in Thornton. Religious schools run $4,200/year on the low end.

Sioux Falls

$5,900

avg tuition/year

$6,450 below national avg

Lower cost

Thornton

$13,100

avg tuition/year

$750 above national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Sioux Falls	Thornton	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$5,900/yr	$13,100/yr	-$7,200
Religious Schools	$4,200/yr	$8,500/yr	-$4,300
Independent/Prep	$12,000/yr	$25,700/yr	-$13,700
Elementary (K-5)	$5,000/yr	$11,100/yr	-$6,100
Middle School (6-8)	$5,900/yr	$13,100/yr	-$7,200
High School (9-12)	$7,100/yr	$15,700/yr	-$8,600

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Sioux Falls

$76,700

Thornton

$170,300

Choosing Sioux Falls saves $93,600 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $187,200.

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

Thornton

Thornton Christian Academy

Christian · K–12 · $9,200-$11,400/yr

St. Pius X Catholic School (Thornton)

Catholic · K–8 · $8,400-$10,200/yr

Full Sioux Falls breakdown → Full Thornton breakdown →

South Dakota private school costs Colorado 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.