Is private school cheaper in Hartford or Independence?

Independence has lower average private school tuition at $8,100/year vs $28,000/year in Hartford. That's $19,900/year less, or $258,700 over a K-12 career.

How much can I save on private school by choosing Independence over Hartford?

Average tuition in Independence is $19,900/year less than Hartford. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $258,700 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $15,800/year in Hartford, $5,700/year in Independence.

How do Hartford and Independence private school costs compare to the national average?

The national average private school tuition is $12,350/year. Hartford averages $28,000/year ($15,650 above average). Independence averages $8,100/year ($4,250 below average).

Private School Cost: Hartford vs Independence

Independence averages $19,900/year less for private school (246% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $258,700 per child.

Bottom Line

Independence is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $8,100/year vs $28,000/year in Hartford. Religious schools run $5,700/year on the low end.

Hartford

$28,000

avg tuition/year

$15,650 above national avg

Independence

$8,100

avg tuition/year

$4,250 below national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Hartford	Independence	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$28,000/yr	$8,100/yr	+$19,900
Religious Schools	$15,800/yr	$5,700/yr	+$10,100
Independent/Prep	$44,500/yr	$18,900/yr	+$25,600
Elementary (K-5)	$22,800/yr	$6,900/yr	+$15,900
Middle School (6-8)	$28,000/yr	$8,100/yr	+$19,900
High School (9-12)	$35,000/yr	$9,700/yr	+$25,300

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Hartford

$364,000

Independence

$105,300

Choosing Independence saves $258,700 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $517,400.

Sample Schools

Hartford

Kingswood Oxford School

Independent · 6–12 · $44,800-$47,200/yr

Loomis Chaffee School

Independent (Day) · 9–12 · $48,200/yr

Watkinson School

Independent · 6–12 · $36,800/yr

Northwest Catholic High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $17,800/yr

Independence

Van Horn Academy (Independence MO)

Independent · K–12 · $9,200-$11,400/yr

Truman Academy

Independent · K–12 · $8,400-$10,400/yr

Full Hartford breakdown → Full Independence breakdown →

Connecticut 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.