Is private school cheaper in Denver or St. Louis?

St. Louis has lower average private school tuition at $13,000/year vs $16,400/year in Denver. That's $3,400/year less, or $44,200 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in St. Louis is $3,400/year less than Denver. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $44,200 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $9,800/year in Denver, $8,400/year in St. Louis.

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

The national average private school tuition is $12,350/year. Denver averages $16,400/year ($4,050 above average). St. Louis averages $13,000/year ($650 above average).

Private School Cost: Denver vs St. Louis

St. Louis averages $3,400/year less for private school (26% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $44,200 per child.

Bottom Line

St. Louis is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $13,000/year vs $16,400/year in Denver. Religious schools run $8,400/year on the low end.

Denver

$16,400

avg tuition/year

$4,050 above national avg

St. Louis

$13,000

avg tuition/year

$650 above national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Denver	St. Louis	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$16,400/yr	$13,000/yr	+$3,400
Religious Schools	$9,800/yr	$8,400/yr	+$1,400
Independent/Prep	$28,500/yr	$24,500/yr	+$4,000
Elementary (K-5)	$13,500/yr	$10,600/yr	+$2,900
Middle School (6-8)	$16,400/yr	$13,000/yr	+$3,400
High School (9-12)	$20,200/yr	$16,000/yr	+$4,200

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Denver

$213,200

St. Louis

$169,000

Choosing St. Louis saves $44,200 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $88,400.

Sample Schools

Denver

Kent Denver School

Independent · 6–12 · $35,200-$37,800/yr

Colorado Academy

Independent · PK–12 · $33,800-$36,400/yr

Regis Jesuit High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $18,800/yr

Mullen High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $17,400/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 Denver breakdown → Full St. Louis breakdown →

Colorado private school costs Missouri private school costs

Related Comparisons

Denver vs Phoenix → Seattle vs Denver → Denver 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.