Is private school cheaper in Des Moines or Lafayette?

Lafayette has lower average private school tuition at $6,200/year vs $6,900/year in Des Moines. That's $700/year less, or $9,100 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Lafayette is $700/year less than Des Moines. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $9,100 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $4,800/year in Des Moines, $4,600/year in Lafayette.

How do Des Moines and Lafayette 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). Lafayette averages $6,200/year ($6,150 below average).

Private School Cost: Des Moines vs Lafayette

Lafayette averages $700/year less for private school (11% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $9,100 per child.

Bottom Line

Lafayette is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $6,200/year vs $6,900/year in Des Moines. Religious schools run $4,600/year on the low end.

Des Moines

$6,900

avg tuition/year

$5,450 below national avg

Lafayette

$6,200

avg tuition/year

$6,150 below national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Des Moines	Lafayette	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$6,900/yr	$6,200/yr	+$700
Religious Schools	$4,800/yr	$4,600/yr	+$200
Independent/Prep	$14,400/yr	$14,900/yr	-$500
Elementary (K-5)	$5,900/yr	$5,300/yr	+$600
Middle School (6-8)	$6,900/yr	$6,200/yr	+$700
High School (9-12)	$8,300/yr	$7,400/yr	+$900

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Des Moines

$89,700

Lafayette

$80,600

Choosing Lafayette saves $9,100 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $18,200.

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

Lafayette

Teurlings Catholic High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $9,600/yr

Ascension Episcopal School (Lafayette)

Independent (Episcopal) · PK–12 · $14,800/yr

Full Des Moines breakdown → Full Lafayette 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.