Is private school cheaper in Des Moines or Fayetteville?

Fayetteville has lower average private school tuition at $6,600/year vs $6,900/year in Des Moines. That's $300/year less, or $3,900 over a K-12 career.

How much can I save on private school by choosing Fayetteville over Des Moines?

Average tuition in Fayetteville is $300/year less than Des Moines. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $3,900 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $4,800/year in Des Moines, $5,000/year in Fayetteville.

How do Des Moines and Fayetteville private school costs compare to the national average?

The national average private school tuition is $12,350/year. Des Moines averages $6,900/year ($5,450 below average). Fayetteville averages $6,600/year ($5,750 below average).

Private School Cost: Des Moines vs Fayetteville

Fayetteville averages $300/year less for private school (5% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $3,900 per child.

Bottom Line

Fayetteville is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $6,600/year vs $6,900/year in Des Moines. Religious schools run $4,800/year on the low end.

Des Moines

$6,900

avg tuition/year

$5,450 below national avg

Fayetteville

$6,600

avg tuition/year

$5,750 below national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Des Moines	Fayetteville	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$6,900/yr	$6,600/yr	+$300
Religious Schools	$4,800/yr	$5,000/yr	-$200
Independent/Prep	$14,400/yr	$13,100/yr	+$1,300
Elementary (K-5)	$5,900/yr	$5,600/yr	+$300
Middle School (6-8)	$6,900/yr	$6,600/yr	+$300
High School (9-12)	$8,300/yr	$7,900/yr	+$400

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Des Moines

$89,700

Fayetteville

$85,800

Choosing Fayetteville saves $3,900 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $7,800.

Sample Schools

Des Moines

Dowling Catholic High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $10,400/yr

Des Moines Christian School

Christian · PK–12 · $9,600-$12,000/yr

Fayetteville

Fayetteville Christian School

Christian · K–12 · $9,200-$11,400/yr

Providence Academy (Fayetteville AR)

Christian · K–12 · $8,800-$10,800/yr

Full Des Moines breakdown → Full Fayetteville breakdown →

Iowa private school costs Arkansas 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.