Is private school cheaper in Clearwater or St. Louis?

Clearwater has lower average private school tuition at $10,200/year vs $13,000/year in St. Louis. That's $2,800/year less, or $36,400 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Clearwater is $2,800/year less than St. Louis. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $36,400 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $7,100/year in Clearwater, $8,400/year in St. Louis.

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

The national average private school tuition is $12,350/year. Clearwater averages $10,200/year ($2,150 below average). St. Louis averages $13,000/year ($650 above average).

Private School Cost: Clearwater vs St. Louis

Clearwater averages $2,800/year less for private school (27% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $36,400 per child.

Bottom Line

Clearwater is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $10,200/year vs $13,000/year in St. Louis. Religious schools run $7,100/year on the low end.

Clearwater

$10,200

avg tuition/year

$2,150 below national avg

Lower cost

St. Louis

$13,000

avg tuition/year

$650 above national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Clearwater	St. Louis	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$10,200/yr	$13,000/yr	-$2,800
Religious Schools	$7,100/yr	$8,400/yr	-$1,300
Independent/Prep	$21,100/yr	$24,500/yr	-$3,400
Elementary (K-5)	$8,700/yr	$10,600/yr	-$1,900
Middle School (6-8)	$10,200/yr	$13,000/yr	-$2,800
High School (9-12)	$12,200/yr	$16,000/yr	-$3,800

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Clearwater

$132,600

St. Louis

$169,000

Choosing Clearwater saves $36,400 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $72,800.

Sample Schools

Clearwater

Calvary Christian Academy (Clearwater)

Christian · PK–12 · $10,400-$12,800/yr

Holy Trinity Episcopal Academy

Independent (Episcopal) · PK–12 · $14,200/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 Clearwater breakdown → Full St. Louis breakdown →

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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.