Is private school cheaper in Athens or Lee's Summit?

Lee's Summit has lower average private school tuition at $8,600/year vs $10,100/year in Athens. That's $1,500/year less, or $19,500 over a K-12 career.

How much can I save on private school by choosing Lee's Summit over Athens?

Average tuition in Lee's Summit is $1,500/year less than Athens. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $19,500 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $7,000/year in Athens, $6,100/year in Lee's Summit.

How do Athens and Lee's Summit private school costs compare to the national average?

The national average private school tuition is $12,350/year. Athens averages $10,100/year ($2,250 below average). Lee's Summit averages $8,600/year ($3,750 below average).

Private School Cost: Athens vs Lee's Summit

Lee's Summit averages $1,500/year less for private school (17% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $19,500 per child.

Bottom Line

Lee's Summit is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $8,600/year vs $10,100/year in Athens. Religious schools run $6,100/year on the low end.

Athens

$10,100

avg tuition/year

$2,250 below national avg

Lee's Summit

$8,600

avg tuition/year

$3,750 below national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Athens	Lee's Summit	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$10,100/yr	$8,600/yr	+$1,500
Religious Schools	$7,000/yr	$6,100/yr	+$900
Independent/Prep	$20,500/yr	$20,100/yr	+$400
Elementary (K-5)	$8,600/yr	$7,300/yr	+$1,300
Middle School (6-8)	$10,100/yr	$8,600/yr	+$1,500
High School (9-12)	$12,100/yr	$10,300/yr	+$1,800

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Athens

$131,300

Lee's Summit

$111,800

Choosing Lee's Summit saves $19,500 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $39,000.

Sample Schools

Athens

Athens Academy

Independent · PK–12 · $18,200/yr

Prince Avenue Christian School

Christian · K–12 · $9,800-$12,200/yr

Lee's Summit

Summit Christian Academy (Lee's Summit)

Christian · K–12 · $9,800-$12,400/yr

Holy Spirit Catholic School (LSummit)

Catholic · K–8 · $8,400-$10,400/yr

Full Athens breakdown → Full Lee's Summit breakdown →

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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.