Is private school cheaper in Frederick or St. Louis?

St. Louis has lower average private school tuition at $13,000/year vs $16,700/year in Frederick. That's $3,700/year less, or $48,100 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in St. Louis is $3,700/year less than Frederick. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $48,100 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $11,300/year in Frederick, $8,400/year in St. Louis.

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

The national average private school tuition is $12,350/year. Frederick averages $16,700/year ($4,350 above average). St. Louis averages $13,000/year ($650 above average).

Private School Cost: Frederick vs St. Louis

St. Louis averages $3,700/year less for private school (28% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $48,100 per child.

Bottom Line

St. Louis is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $13,000/year vs $16,700/year in Frederick. Religious schools run $8,400/year on the low end.

Frederick

$16,700

avg tuition/year

$4,350 above national avg

St. Louis

$13,000

avg tuition/year

$650 above national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Frederick	St. Louis	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$16,700/yr	$13,000/yr	+$3,700
Religious Schools	$11,300/yr	$8,400/yr	+$2,900
Independent/Prep	$35,100/yr	$24,500/yr	+$10,600
Elementary (K-5)	$14,200/yr	$10,600/yr	+$3,600
Middle School (6-8)	$16,700/yr	$13,000/yr	+$3,700
High School (9-12)	$20,000/yr	$16,000/yr	+$4,000

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Frederick

$217,100

St. Louis

$169,000

Choosing St. Louis saves $48,100 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $96,200.

Sample Schools

Frederick

Frederick Classical Charter School (Private Prep)

Independent · K–12 · $11,200/yr

Visitation Academy (Frederick MD)

Catholic · PK–8 · $12,400/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 Frederick breakdown → Full St. Louis breakdown →

Maryland 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.