Is private school cheaper in Cambridge or Independence?

Independence has lower average private school tuition at $8,100/year vs $32,000/year in Cambridge. That's $23,900/year less, or $310,700 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Independence is $23,900/year less than Cambridge. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $310,700 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $17,300/year in Cambridge, $5,700/year in Independence.

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

The national average private school tuition is $12,350/year. Cambridge averages $32,000/year ($19,650 above average). Independence averages $8,100/year ($4,250 below average).

Private School Cost: Cambridge vs Independence

Independence averages $23,900/year less for private school (295% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $310,700 per child.

Bottom Line

Independence is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $8,100/year vs $32,000/year in Cambridge. Religious schools run $5,700/year on the low end.

Cambridge

$32,000

avg tuition/year

$19,650 above national avg

Independence

$8,100

avg tuition/year

$4,250 below national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Cambridge	Independence	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$32,000/yr	$8,100/yr	+$23,900
Religious Schools	$17,300/yr	$5,700/yr	+$11,600
Independent/Prep	$65,000/yr	$18,900/yr	+$46,100
Elementary (K-5)	$27,200/yr	$6,900/yr	+$20,300
Middle School (6-8)	$32,000/yr	$8,100/yr	+$23,900
High School (9-12)	$38,400/yr	$9,700/yr	+$28,700

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Cambridge

$416,000

Independence

$105,300

Choosing Independence saves $310,700 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $621,400.

Sample Schools

Cambridge

Cambridge School of Weston

Independent · 9–12 · $59,400/yr

Buckingham Browne & Nichols School

Independent · PK–12 · $58,800/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 Cambridge breakdown → Full Independence breakdown →

Massachusetts 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.