Is private school cheaper in Sioux Falls or Washington DC?

Sioux Falls has lower average private school tuition at $5,900/year vs $28,400/year in Washington DC. That's $22,500/year less, or $292,500 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Sioux Falls is $22,500/year less than Washington DC. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $292,500 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $4,200/year in Sioux Falls, $15,200/year in Washington DC.

How do Sioux Falls and Washington DC 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). Washington DC averages $28,400/year ($16,050 above average).

Private School Cost: Sioux Falls vs Washington DC

Sioux Falls averages $22,500/year less for private school (381% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $292,500 per child.

Bottom Line

Sioux Falls is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $5,900/year vs $28,400/year in Washington DC. Religious schools run $4,200/year on the low end.

Sioux Falls

$5,900

avg tuition/year

$6,450 below national avg

Lower cost

Washington DC

$28,400

avg tuition/year

$16,050 above national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Sioux Falls	Washington DC	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$5,900/yr	$28,400/yr	-$22,500
Religious Schools	$4,200/yr	$15,200/yr	-$11,000
Independent/Prep	$12,000/yr	$46,000/yr	-$34,000
Elementary (K-5)	$5,000/yr	$23,000/yr	-$18,000
Middle School (6-8)	$5,900/yr	$28,400/yr	-$22,500
High School (9-12)	$7,100/yr	$35,500/yr	-$28,400

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Sioux Falls

$76,700

Washington DC

$369,200

Choosing Sioux Falls saves $292,500 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $585,000.

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

Washington DC

Sidwell Friends School

Independent (Quaker) · PK–12 · $52,900/yr

Georgetown Day School

Independent · PK–12 · $51,400/yr

National Cathedral School

Independent · 4–12 · $50,200/yr

Gonzaga College High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $25,400/yr

Full Sioux Falls breakdown → Full Washington DC breakdown →

South Dakota private school costs District of Columbia private school costs

Related Comparisons

Washington DC vs Atlanta →

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.