Is private school cheaper in Cedar Rapids or St. Louis?

Cedar Rapids has lower average private school tuition at $6,800/year vs $13,000/year in St. Louis. That's $6,200/year less, or $80,600 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Cedar Rapids is $6,200/year less than St. Louis. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $80,600 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $4,800/year in Cedar Rapids, $8,400/year in St. Louis.

How do Cedar Rapids and St. Louis private school costs compare to the national average?

The national average private school tuition is $12,350/year. Cedar Rapids averages $6,800/year ($5,550 below average). St. Louis averages $13,000/year ($650 above average).

Private School Cost: Cedar Rapids vs St. Louis

Cedar Rapids averages $6,200/year less for private school (91% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $80,600 per child.

Bottom Line

Cedar Rapids is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $6,800/year vs $13,000/year in St. Louis. Religious schools run $4,800/year on the low end.

Cedar Rapids

$6,800

avg tuition/year

$5,550 below national avg

Lower cost

St. Louis

$13,000

avg tuition/year

$650 above national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Cedar Rapids	St. Louis	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$6,800/yr	$13,000/yr	-$6,200
Religious Schools	$4,800/yr	$8,400/yr	-$3,600
Independent/Prep	$14,300/yr	$24,500/yr	-$10,200
Elementary (K-5)	$5,800/yr	$10,600/yr	-$4,800
Middle School (6-8)	$6,800/yr	$13,000/yr	-$6,200
High School (9-12)	$8,200/yr	$16,000/yr	-$7,800

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Cedar Rapids

$88,400

St. Louis

$169,000

Choosing Cedar Rapids saves $80,600 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $161,200.

Sample Schools

Cedar Rapids

Xavier High School (Cedar Rapids)

Catholic · 9–12 · $9,400/yr

Cedar Rapids Christian School

Christian · K–12 · $8,400-$10,400/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 Cedar Rapids breakdown → Full St. Louis breakdown →

Iowa 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.