Is private school cheaper in Sioux Falls or Waco?

Sioux Falls has lower average private school tuition at $5,900/year vs $10,100/year in Waco. That's $4,200/year less, or $54,600 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Sioux Falls is $4,200/year less than Waco. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $54,600 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $4,200/year in Sioux Falls, $6,900/year in Waco.

How do Sioux Falls and Waco 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). Waco averages $10,100/year ($2,250 below average).

Private School Cost: Sioux Falls vs Waco

Sioux Falls averages $4,200/year less for private school (71% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $54,600 per child.

Bottom Line

Sioux Falls is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $5,900/year vs $10,100/year in Waco. Religious schools run $4,200/year on the low end.

Sioux Falls

$5,900

avg tuition/year

$6,450 below national avg

Lower cost

Waco

$10,100

avg tuition/year

$2,250 below national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Sioux Falls	Waco	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$5,900/yr	$10,100/yr	-$4,200
Religious Schools	$4,200/yr	$6,900/yr	-$2,700
Independent/Prep	$12,000/yr	$21,300/yr	-$9,300
Elementary (K-5)	$5,000/yr	$8,600/yr	-$3,600
Middle School (6-8)	$5,900/yr	$10,100/yr	-$4,200
High School (9-12)	$7,100/yr	$12,100/yr	-$5,000

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Sioux Falls

$76,700

Waco

$131,300

Choosing Sioux Falls saves $54,600 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $109,200.

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

Waco

Vanguard College Preparatory

Christian · 6–12 · $12,400/yr

Reicher Catholic High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $10,200/yr

Full Sioux Falls breakdown → Full Waco breakdown →

South Dakota private school costs Texas 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.