Is private school cheaper in Cleveland or Kansas City?

Cleveland has lower average private school tuition at $11,200/year vs $12,800/year in Kansas City. That's $1,600/year less, or $20,800 over a K-12 career.

How much can I save on private school by choosing Cleveland over Kansas City?

Average tuition in Cleveland is $1,600/year less than Kansas City. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $20,800 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $7,400/year in Cleveland, $8,200/year in Kansas City.

How do Cleveland and Kansas City private school costs compare to the national average?

The national average private school tuition is $12,350/year. Cleveland averages $11,200/year ($1,150 below average). Kansas City averages $12,800/year ($450 above average).

Private School Cost: Cleveland vs Kansas City

Cleveland averages $1,600/year less for private school (14% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $20,800 per child.

Bottom Line

Cleveland is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $11,200/year vs $12,800/year in Kansas City. Religious schools run $7,400/year on the low end.

Cleveland

$11,200

avg tuition/year

$1,150 below national avg

Lower cost

Kansas City

$12,800

avg tuition/year

$450 above national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Cleveland	Kansas City	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$11,200/yr	$12,800/yr	-$1,600
Religious Schools	$7,400/yr	$8,200/yr	-$800
Independent/Prep	$21,000/yr	$24,000/yr	-$3,000
Elementary (K-5)	$9,200/yr	$10,400/yr	-$1,200
Middle School (6-8)	$11,200/yr	$12,800/yr	-$1,600
High School (9-12)	$13,800/yr	$15,800/yr	-$2,000

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Cleveland

$145,600

Kansas City

$166,400

Choosing Cleveland saves $20,800 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $41,600.

Sample Schools

Cleveland

University School (Cleveland)

Independent · JK–12 · $26,400-$28,800/yr

Laurel School (Cleveland)

Independent · PK–12 · $24,800-$27,200/yr

St. Ignatius High School (Cleveland)

Catholic · 9–12 · $13,800/yr

St. Edward High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $13,200/yr

Kansas City

Pembroke Hill School

Independent · PK–12 · $24,800-$26,400/yr

Rockhurst High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $16,200/yr

Bishop Miege High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $14,200/yr

St. Teresa's Academy (KC)

Catholic · 9–12 · $13,800/yr

Full Cleveland breakdown → Full Kansas City breakdown →

Ohio 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.