Is private school cheaper in Fort Lauderdale or St. Louis?

Fort Lauderdale has lower average private school tuition at $11,700/year vs $13,000/year in St. Louis. That's $1,300/year less, or $16,900 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Fort Lauderdale is $1,300/year less than St. Louis. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $16,900 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $8,100/year in Fort Lauderdale, $8,400/year in St. Louis.

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

The national average private school tuition is $12,350/year. Fort Lauderdale averages $11,700/year ($650 below average). St. Louis averages $13,000/year ($650 above average).

Private School Cost: Fort Lauderdale vs St. Louis

Fort Lauderdale averages $1,300/year less for private school (11% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $16,900 per child.

Bottom Line

Fort Lauderdale is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $11,700/year vs $13,000/year in St. Louis. Religious schools run $8,100/year on the low end.

Fort Lauderdale

$11,700

avg tuition/year

$650 below national avg

Lower cost

St. Louis

$13,000

avg tuition/year

$650 above national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Fort Lauderdale	St. Louis	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$11,700/yr	$13,000/yr	-$1,300
Religious Schools	$8,100/yr	$8,400/yr	-$300
Independent/Prep	$24,100/yr	$24,500/yr	-$400
Elementary (K-5)	$9,900/yr	$10,600/yr	-$700
Middle School (6-8)	$11,700/yr	$13,000/yr	-$1,300
High School (9-12)	$14,000/yr	$16,000/yr	-$2,000

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Fort Lauderdale

$152,100

St. Louis

$169,000

Choosing Fort Lauderdale saves $16,900 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $33,800.

Sample Schools

Fort Lauderdale

Pine Crest School

Independent · PK–12 · $34,800/yr

Cardinal Gibbons High School (Ft. Laud.)

Catholic · 9–12 · $14,800/yr

Westminster Academy

Christian · PK–12 · $18,400/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 Fort Lauderdale breakdown → Full St. Louis breakdown →

Florida private school costs Missouri 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.