Is private school cheaper in Sioux Falls or Waterbury?

Sioux Falls has lower average private school tuition at $5,900/year vs $20,500/year in Waterbury. That's $14,600/year less, or $189,800 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Sioux Falls is $14,600/year less than Waterbury. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $189,800 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $4,200/year in Sioux Falls, $11,300/year in Waterbury.

How do Sioux Falls and Waterbury 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). Waterbury averages $20,500/year ($8,150 above average).

Private School Cost: Sioux Falls vs Waterbury

Sioux Falls averages $14,600/year less for private school (247% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $189,800 per child.

Bottom Line

Sioux Falls is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $5,900/year vs $20,500/year in Waterbury. Religious schools run $4,200/year on the low end.

Sioux Falls

$5,900

avg tuition/year

$6,450 below national avg

Lower cost

Waterbury

$20,500

avg tuition/year

$8,150 above national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Sioux Falls	Waterbury	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$5,900/yr	$20,500/yr	-$14,600
Religious Schools	$4,200/yr	$11,300/yr	-$7,100
Independent/Prep	$12,000/yr	$40,800/yr	-$28,800
Elementary (K-5)	$5,000/yr	$17,400/yr	-$12,400
Middle School (6-8)	$5,900/yr	$20,500/yr	-$14,600
High School (9-12)	$7,100/yr	$24,600/yr	-$17,500

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Sioux Falls

$76,700

Waterbury

$266,500

Choosing Sioux Falls saves $189,800 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $379,600.

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

Waterbury

Holy Cross High School (Waterbury)

Catholic · 9–12 · $14,800/yr

Crosby High School (Waterbury)

Independent · 9–12 · $9,800/yr

Full Sioux Falls breakdown → Full Waterbury breakdown →

South Dakota private school costs Connecticut 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.