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

Fort Wayne has lower average private school tuition at $7,900/year vs $13,000/year in St. Louis. That's $5,100/year less, or $66,300 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Fort Wayne is $5,100/year less than St. Louis. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $66,300 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $5,800/year in Fort Wayne, $8,400/year in St. Louis.

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

The national average private school tuition is $12,350/year. Fort Wayne averages $7,900/year ($4,450 below average). St. Louis averages $13,000/year ($650 above average).

Private School Cost: Fort Wayne vs St. Louis

Fort Wayne averages $5,100/year less for private school (65% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $66,300 per child.

Bottom Line

Fort Wayne is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $7,900/year vs $13,000/year in St. Louis. Religious schools run $5,800/year on the low end.

Fort Wayne

$7,900

avg tuition/year

$4,450 below national avg

Lower cost

St. Louis

$13,000

avg tuition/year

$650 above national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Fort Wayne	St. Louis	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$7,900/yr	$13,000/yr	-$5,100
Religious Schools	$5,800/yr	$8,400/yr	-$2,600
Independent/Prep	$16,500/yr	$24,500/yr	-$8,000
Elementary (K-5)	$6,700/yr	$10,600/yr	-$3,900
Middle School (6-8)	$7,900/yr	$13,000/yr	-$5,100
High School (9-12)	$9,500/yr	$16,000/yr	-$6,500

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Fort Wayne

$102,700

St. Louis

$169,000

Choosing Fort Wayne saves $66,300 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $132,600.

Sample Schools

Fort Wayne

Bishop Luers High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $9,800/yr

Canterbury School (Fort Wayne)

Independent · PK–12 · $20,400/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 Wayne breakdown → Full St. Louis breakdown →

Indiana 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.