Is private school cheaper in Bellevue or Independence?

Independence has lower average private school tuition at $8,100/year vs $18,600/year in Bellevue. That's $10,500/year less, or $136,500 over a K-12 career.

How much can I save on private school by choosing Independence over Bellevue?

Average tuition in Independence is $10,500/year less than Bellevue. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $136,500 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $12,700/year in Bellevue, $5,700/year in Independence.

How do Bellevue and Independence private school costs compare to the national average?

The national average private school tuition is $12,350/year. Bellevue averages $18,600/year ($6,250 above average). Independence averages $8,100/year ($4,250 below average).

Private School Cost: Bellevue vs Independence

Independence averages $10,500/year less for private school (130% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $136,500 per child.

Bottom Line

Independence is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $8,100/year vs $18,600/year in Bellevue. Religious schools run $5,700/year on the low end.

Bellevue

$18,600

avg tuition/year

$6,250 above national avg

Independence

$8,100

avg tuition/year

$4,250 below national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Bellevue	Independence	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$18,600/yr	$8,100/yr	+$10,500
Religious Schools	$12,700/yr	$5,700/yr	+$7,000
Independent/Prep	$39,700/yr	$18,900/yr	+$20,800
Elementary (K-5)	$15,800/yr	$6,900/yr	+$8,900
Middle School (6-8)	$18,600/yr	$8,100/yr	+$10,500
High School (9-12)	$22,300/yr	$9,700/yr	+$12,600

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Bellevue

$241,800

Independence

$105,300

Choosing Independence saves $136,500 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $273,000.

Sample Schools

Bellevue

The Overlake School

Independent · 5–12 · $37,800/yr

Bellevue Christian School

Christian · PK–12 · $14,200/yr

Bellarmine Preparatory School (Tacoma)

Catholic · 9–12 · $18,400/yr

Independence

Van Horn Academy (Independence MO)

Independent · K–12 · $9,200-$11,400/yr

Truman Academy

Independent · K–12 · $8,400-$10,400/yr

Full Bellevue breakdown → Full Independence breakdown →

Washington private school costs Missouri 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.