Get ready to explore the most expensive schools in South Dakota today. South Dakota is known as The Mount Rushmore State and officially became a state in 1889. This state is also known for its beautiful landscapes, National Park, and vast National Forest, Black Hills.
Regarding education, South Dakota ranks 18 out of the 40 states. Likewise, the cost of living index in South Dakota falls to 93.80, bringing it lower than the average. You may be asking yourself why this matters. Well, South Dakota takes education seriously, and the numbers prove it. However, when looking at the most expensive schools in each state, it's essential to consider the cost of living. The schools in a state with a lower cost of living index will be lower than those in a higher ranking state, such as Pennsylvania, even private schools.
However, compared to the more costly ones, these schools' prices don't discount the fantastic benefits each brings. Now, let's look at the most expensive schools in South Dakota and what makes them worth looking into.
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Most Expensive Schools in South Dakota
When it comes to the most expensive schools in South Dakota, there are many to choose from! Each school has unique attributes that set them apart from elementary up to college.
| Name of School | Tuition of School |
| Bethel Lutheran School | $4,765 |
| O'Gorman Junior High School | $4,695 |
| Cornerstone School | $4,620 |
| Good Shepherd Lutheran | $4,508 |
| St. Pauls Lutheran School | $4,500 |
| Sunshine Bible Academy | $7,707 |
| Rapid City Christian School | $5,200 |
| Augustana University | $45,772 |
| Mount Marty College | $39,734 |
| Dakota Wesleyan University | $39,430 |
Elementary and Middle Schools
Below are the most expensive elementary and middle schools in South Dakota.
Bethel Lutheran School
1801 S Valley View Road Sioux Falls, SD 57106
Tuition: $4,765
Grades: Kindergarten through eighth
Bethel Lutheran School is in Sioux Falls, SD. This Christan day school offers classes to kindergarten through eighth-grade students. Also, there are around 27 students enrolled right now, and the average class size is 11.
This school offers students four sports to choose from:
- Volleyball
- Track and Field
- Cross Country
- Basketball
This small academy gives students a close-knit feel while focusing on their studies and growing in their education.
O'Gorman Junior High School
3100 W 41st St Sioux Falls, SD 57105
Tuition: $4,695
Grades: Seventh through eighth
O'Gorman Junior High School is a Catholic middle school with around 382 students in attendance.
The average class size at this school is 20 students, and the acceptance rate is 100 percent. While here, pupils can participate in many different sports and extracurriculars. Some of these include:
- Basketball
- Track and Field
- Gymnastics
- Golf
- Football
- Cross Country
- Art Club
- Drama Club
- Gaming Club
- Lego Club
- Band
- Orchestra
- Show Choir
O'Gorman Catholic Schools have the vision and mission to provide students with a Catholic education while motivating them to aspire towards hard work and excelling.
Cornerstone School
900 E 41st St Sioux Falls, SD 57105
Tuition: $4,620
Grades: Kindergarten through twelve
Cornerstone School offers classes to students in all grades. Additionally, this school has been open since 1992 and was founded by Pastor Duane Arneson. Furthermore, the objective and vision of this school are Christian based while enabling students to thrive in their academic journey.
The core values of Cornerstone School are giving students a holistic environment that focuses on being self-motivated with individual instruction.
The focus at this school isn't on quantity but instead on working toward mastery. This allows students to learn at their own pace and become independent learners.
Good Shepherd Lutheran
4800 S Southeastern Ave Sioux Falls, SD 57103
Tuition: $4,508
Grades: Prekindergarten through eighth grade
Good Shepherd Lutheran is a private school for prekindergarten through eighth-grade students. This state-accredited school focuses on cultivating students to become autonomous pupils.
The school itself has five specific classrooms with multi-grade classes. In addition, this school was opened in 1977 and currently has 139 students in enrollment.
While here, students can participate in a variety of extras. These include:
- Archery
- Volleyball
- Cross Country
- Cheering
- Basketball
- Archery
- Jr. Choir
- Robotics Club
The multi-grade classes, extras, and amicable environment allow students to grow in their talents while working towards excelling in academia.
St. Paul's Lutheran School
835 E Fairmont Blvd Rapid City, SD 57701
Tuition: $4,500
Grades: Prekindergarten through eighth
St. Paul's Lutheran School is in Rapid City, SD. This school focuses on four specific areas while educating students. These areas are spiritual, academic, social, and extracurricular growth.
Moreover, while attending St. Paul's Lutheran School, students will have the opportunity to participate in a variety of extras. These extras include:
- Cheerleading
- Volleyball
- Cross Country
- Basketball
- Track and Field
- Band lessons
- Choir
The students attending this school will benefit from being in small classes and working towards the goals set before them.
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Most Expensive High Schools In South Dakota
The most expensive high schools in South Dakota boast excellent academic curricula and the ability to individualize each child's learning experience.
Sunshine Bible Academy
400 Sunshine Dr. Miller, SD 57362
Tuition: $7,707
Grades: Seventh through twelve
Sunshine Bible Academy is a Christian academy for students in high school. Currently, there are around 64 students in enrollment, with an average class size of 15 students.
This high school was founded in 1951 and carries several values. These values include motivating a servant's heart in leadership, academic excellence, and close-knit relationships.
Although the day tuition is $7,707, boarding and international options are also available. For those who choose a seven-day boarding option, the tuition is $12,092, five-day boarding is $11,018, and international is $18,140. Financial aid is available at this school as well.
Students who attend here will have the opportunity to participate in several extras. These include:
- Basketball
- Volleyball
- Wrestling
- Football
- Riflery
- Cross Country
- FFA
- Robotics Team
- Student Council
- Indoor Soccer Club
- Drama Team
- Pep Band
- Oral Interpretation
Sunshine Bible Academy does require that students go through an application and interview process before being accepted to the school.
Rapid City Christian School
23757 Arena Drive Rapid City, SD 57702
Tuition: $5,200
Grades: Sixth through twelve
Rapid City Christian School is in Rapid City, SD, and offers classes for students in sixth through twelve grade. Also, this high school was started in 1980 by several families. The mission of this school is to provide students with a liberal arts education with a Christian worldview.
Students who wish to attend here must go through entrance exams. Additionally, Rapid City Christian School has an acceptance rate of 90 percent and currently has around 241 students in attendance.
This school also offers a variety of opportunities for students, including:
- All-state chorus and orchestra
- Knowledge Bowl
- one act play
- science bowl team
- Oral Interpretation
- National Honor Society
- Student Council
- Tennis
- Track and Field
- Volleyball
- Wrestling
- Golf
- Soccer
- Football
- Cheering
- Basketball
- Cross Country
These extracurriculars and sports allow students to expand past the classroom and gain experience in areas they are passionate about.
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Most Expensive Colleges in South Dakota
Some of the most expensive schools are colleges. Here are the most expensive colleges in South Dakota.
Augustana University
2001 S. Summit Ave. Sioux Falls, SD 57197
Tuition: $45,772
Augustana University is in Sioux Falls, SD, and ranks as the number two Best College in South Dakota. The acceptance rate at this college is 72 percent, making it less competitive than many other private colleges.
The most popular major at Augustana College is nursing, followed by biology. It is a relatively small campus with around 2,100 undergraduates in enrollment.
Furthermore, students who attend here can participate in over 100 different activities, extras, sports, and performing arts.
Augustana Univeristy started in Hillsboro, IL, then moved to Springfield, IL. In 1860 the decision was made to move it yet again, eventually settling in its current spot with its current name in 1903.
Augustana University has many values, including diversity and inclusion. This college also takes the time to encourage students to strive for excellence. They do this by focusing on each student's potential, achievement, respect, and serving one another.
Mount Marty College
1105 W. 8th Street Yankton, SD 57078
Tuition: $39,734
Mount Marty College is in Yankton, SD, and is a private Catholic college.
Also, the small enrollment means students have an intimate feel with their faculty and classmates. This college has a 67 percent acceptance rate making it moderately competitive. The most popular major at Mount Marty College is business, followed by accounting.
This college aims to provide each student with a comprehensive education focused on liberal arts. In addition, the school also focuses on helping students strive in their chosen fields and continue to push themselves academically and beyond.
This college offers a variety of sports to choose from, including:
- Basketball
- Soccer
- Baseball
- Golf
- Track and Field
- Volleyball
Aside from sports, Mount Marty University also offers students opportunities to explore performing arts, including:
- Creative Writing
- Theatre
- Music
- Visual Arts
College is a great place to explore who you are and your passions, and Mount Marty University is no exception.
Dakota Wesleyan University
1200 W. University Ave. Mitchell, SD 57301
Tuition: $39,430
Dakota Wesleyan University is a private Christian college. It has an acceptance rate of 76 percent. Additionally, the most popular major here is nursing, followed by business.
Currently, there are around 654 undergraduate students in enrollment. While here, students will have various options to explore their passions, including performing arts. There are theatre and musical performing options as well as scholarships available. Sports are also an option while attending here, in the form of:
- Baseball
- Cross Country
- Cheer and Dance
- Basketball
These opportunities make exploring life after high school engaging and fun.
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In Conclusion
South Dakota is a state full of gorgeous landscapes, enriching history, and fantastic opportunities. Those opportunities carry over into educational prospects. The most expensive schools in South Dakota give students various options, including small class sizes, tight-knit communities, tailored education, and extras that engage their passions.
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