Is private school cheaper in Des Moines or Shreveport?

Shreveport has lower average private school tuition at $6,000/year vs $6,900/year in Des Moines. That's $900/year less, or $11,700 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Shreveport is $900/year less than Des Moines. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $11,700 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $4,800/year in Des Moines, $4,500/year in Shreveport.

How do Des Moines and Shreveport 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). Shreveport averages $6,000/year ($6,350 below average).

Private School Cost: Des Moines vs Shreveport

Shreveport averages $900/year less for private school (15% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $11,700 per child.

Bottom Line

Shreveport is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $6,000/year vs $6,900/year in Des Moines. Religious schools run $4,500/year on the low end.

Des Moines

$6,900

avg tuition/year

$5,450 below national avg

Shreveport

$6,000

avg tuition/year

$6,350 below national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Des Moines	Shreveport	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$6,900/yr	$6,000/yr	+$900
Religious Schools	$4,800/yr	$4,500/yr	+$300
Independent/Prep	$14,400/yr	$14,500/yr	-$100
Elementary (K-5)	$5,900/yr	$5,100/yr	+$800
Middle School (6-8)	$6,900/yr	$6,000/yr	+$900
High School (9-12)	$8,300/yr	$7,200/yr	+$1,100

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Des Moines

$89,700

Shreveport

$78,000

Choosing Shreveport saves $11,700 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $23,400.

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

Shreveport

Loyola College Prep (Shreveport)

Catholic · 9–12 · $9,800/yr

Shreve Island School

Independent · PK–6 · $12,400/yr

Full Des Moines breakdown → Full Shreveport breakdown →

Iowa private school costs Louisiana 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.