Is private school cheaper in Dallas or St. Louis?

St. Louis has lower average private school tuition at $13,000/year vs $17,200/year in Dallas. That's $4,200/year less, or $54,600 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in St. Louis is $4,200/year less than Dallas. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $54,600 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $9,500/year in Dallas, $8,400/year in St. Louis.

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

The national average private school tuition is $12,350/year. Dallas averages $17,200/year ($4,850 above average). St. Louis averages $13,000/year ($650 above average).

Private School Cost: Dallas vs St. Louis

St. Louis averages $4,200/year less for private school (32% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $54,600 per child.

Bottom Line

St. Louis is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $13,000/year vs $17,200/year in Dallas. Religious schools run $8,400/year on the low end.

Dallas

$17,200

avg tuition/year

$4,850 above national avg

St. Louis

$13,000

avg tuition/year

$650 above national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Dallas	St. Louis	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$17,200/yr	$13,000/yr	+$4,200
Religious Schools	$9,500/yr	$8,400/yr	+$1,100
Independent/Prep	$30,000/yr	$24,500/yr	+$5,500
Elementary (K-5)	$14,000/yr	$10,600/yr	+$3,400
Middle School (6-8)	$17,200/yr	$13,000/yr	+$4,200
High School (9-12)	$21,000/yr	$16,000/yr	+$5,000

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Dallas

$223,600

St. Louis

$169,000

Choosing St. Louis saves $54,600 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $109,200.

Sample Schools

Dallas

Greenhill School

Independent · PK–12 · $38,400-$41,200/yr

St. Mark's School of Texas

Independent · 1–12 · $38,200/yr

Hockaday School

Independent · PK–12 · $39,800/yr

Jesuit College Preparatory School of Dallas

Catholic · 9–12 · $21,800/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 Dallas breakdown → Full St. Louis breakdown →

Texas private school costs Missouri private school costs

Related Comparisons

Houston vs Dallas → Dallas vs Austin → Dallas vs San Antonio → Fort Worth vs Dallas →

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.