Is private school cheaper in Charlotte or St. Louis?

St. Louis has lower average private school tuition at $13,000/year vs $13,500/year in Charlotte. That's $500/year less, or $6,500 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in St. Louis is $500/year less than Charlotte. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $6,500 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $8,400/year in Charlotte, $8,400/year in St. Louis.

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

The national average private school tuition is $12,350/year. Charlotte averages $13,500/year ($1,150 above average). St. Louis averages $13,000/year ($650 above average).

Private School Cost: Charlotte vs St. Louis

St. Louis averages $500/year less for private school (4% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $6,500 per child.

Bottom Line

St. Louis is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $13,000/year vs $13,500/year in Charlotte. Religious schools run $8,400/year on the low end.

Charlotte

$13,500

avg tuition/year

$1,150 above national avg

St. Louis

$13,000

avg tuition/year

$650 above national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Charlotte	St. Louis	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$13,500/yr	$13,000/yr	+$500
Religious Schools	$8,400/yr	$8,400/yr	Same
Independent/Prep	$25,000/yr	$24,500/yr	+$500
Elementary (K-5)	$11,000/yr	$10,600/yr	+$400
Middle School (6-8)	$13,500/yr	$13,000/yr	+$500
High School (9-12)	$16,700/yr	$16,000/yr	+$700

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Charlotte

$175,500

St. Louis

$169,000

Choosing St. Louis saves $6,500 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $13,000.

Sample Schools

Charlotte

Charlotte Latin School

Independent · K–12 · $26,800-$29,200/yr

Providence Day School

Independent · PK–12 · $24,800/yr

Myers Park Traditional School

Magnet (Free) · K–12

Charlotte Catholic High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $16,200/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 Charlotte breakdown → Full St. Louis breakdown →

North Carolina private school costs Missouri private school costs

Related Comparisons

Atlanta vs Charlotte → Raleigh vs Charlotte →

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.