Is private school cheaper in Bellevue or St. Louis?

St. Louis has lower average private school tuition at $13,000/year vs $18,600/year in Bellevue. That's $5,600/year less, or $72,800 over a K-12 career.

How much can I save on private school by choosing St. Louis over Bellevue?

Average tuition in St. Louis is $5,600/year less than Bellevue. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $72,800 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $12,700/year in Bellevue, $8,400/year in St. Louis.

How do Bellevue and St. Louis 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). St. Louis averages $13,000/year ($650 above average).

Private School Cost: Bellevue vs St. Louis

St. Louis averages $5,600/year less for private school (43% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $72,800 per child.

Bottom Line

St. Louis is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $13,000/year vs $18,600/year in Bellevue. Religious schools run $8,400/year on the low end.

Bellevue

$18,600

avg tuition/year

$6,250 above national avg

St. Louis

$13,000

avg tuition/year

$650 above national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Bellevue	St. Louis	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$18,600/yr	$13,000/yr	+$5,600
Religious Schools	$12,700/yr	$8,400/yr	+$4,300
Independent/Prep	$39,700/yr	$24,500/yr	+$15,200
Elementary (K-5)	$15,800/yr	$10,600/yr	+$5,200
Middle School (6-8)	$18,600/yr	$13,000/yr	+$5,600
High School (9-12)	$22,300/yr	$16,000/yr	+$6,300

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Bellevue

$241,800

St. Louis

$169,000

Choosing St. Louis saves $72,800 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $145,600.

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

St. Louis

John Burroughs School

Independent · 7–12 · $28,400-$30,800/yr

MICDS (Mary Institute and Country Day School)

Independent · JK–12 · $30,200-$32,800/yr

Chaminade College Preparatory

Catholic · 6–12 · $16,800/yr

St. Louis University High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $17,400/yr

Full Bellevue breakdown → Full St. Louis 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.