Is private school cheaper in Des Moines or Springfield?

Des Moines has lower average private school tuition at $6,900/year vs $22,500/year in Springfield. That's $15,600/year less, or $202,800 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Des Moines is $15,600/year less than Springfield. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $202,800 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $4,800/year in Des Moines, $12,200/year in Springfield.

How do Des Moines and Springfield 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). Springfield averages $22,500/year ($10,150 above average).

Private School Cost: Des Moines vs Springfield

Des Moines averages $15,600/year less for private school (226% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $202,800 per child.

Bottom Line

Des Moines is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $6,900/year vs $22,500/year in Springfield. Religious schools run $4,800/year on the low end.

Des Moines

$6,900

avg tuition/year

$5,450 below national avg

Lower cost

Springfield

$22,500

avg tuition/year

$10,150 above national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Des Moines	Springfield	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$6,900/yr	$22,500/yr	-$15,600
Religious Schools	$4,800/yr	$12,200/yr	-$7,400
Independent/Prep	$14,400/yr	$45,800/yr	-$31,400
Elementary (K-5)	$5,900/yr	$19,100/yr	-$13,200
Middle School (6-8)	$6,900/yr	$22,500/yr	-$15,600
High School (9-12)	$8,300/yr	$27,000/yr	-$18,700

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Des Moines

$89,700

Springfield

$292,500

Choosing Des Moines saves $202,800 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $405,600.

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

Springfield

Cathedral High School (Springfield MA)

Catholic · 9–12 · $12,200/yr

The MacDuffie School

Independent · 6–12 · $38,400/yr

Full Des Moines breakdown → Full Springfield breakdown →

Iowa private school costs Massachusetts 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.