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

Lee's Summit has lower average private school tuition at $8,600/year vs $9,400/year in Charleston. That's $800/year less, or $10,400 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Lee's Summit is $800/year less than Charleston. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $10,400 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $6,800/year in Charleston, $6,100/year in Lee's Summit.

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

The national average private school tuition is $12,350/year. Charleston averages $9,400/year ($2,950 below average). Lee's Summit averages $8,600/year ($3,750 below average).

Private School Cost: Charleston vs Lee's Summit

Lee's Summit averages $800/year less for private school (9% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $10,400 per child.

Bottom Line

Lee's Summit is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $8,600/year vs $9,400/year in Charleston. Religious schools run $6,100/year on the low end.

Charleston

$9,400

avg tuition/year

$2,950 below national avg

Lee's Summit

$8,600

avg tuition/year

$3,750 below national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Charleston	Lee's Summit	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$9,400/yr	$8,600/yr	+$800
Religious Schools	$6,800/yr	$6,100/yr	+$700
Independent/Prep	$19,400/yr	$20,100/yr	-$700
Elementary (K-5)	$8,000/yr	$7,300/yr	+$700
Middle School (6-8)	$9,400/yr	$8,600/yr	+$800
High School (9-12)	$11,300/yr	$10,300/yr	+$1,000

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Charleston

$122,200

Lee's Summit

$111,800

Choosing Lee's Summit saves $10,400 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $20,800.

Sample Schools

Charleston

Porter-Gaud School

Independent · PK–12 · $25,800/yr

Bishop England High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $12,800/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 Charleston breakdown → Full Lee's Summit breakdown →

South Carolina 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.