Is private school cheaper in Independence or Trenton?

Independence has lower average private school tuition at $8,100/year vs $16,800/year in Trenton. That's $8,700/year less, or $113,100 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Independence is $8,700/year less than Trenton. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $113,100 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $5,700/year in Independence, $10,800/year in Trenton.

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

The national average private school tuition is $12,350/year. Independence averages $8,100/year ($4,250 below average). Trenton averages $16,800/year ($4,450 above average).

Private School Cost: Independence vs Trenton

Independence averages $8,700/year less for private school (107% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $113,100 per child.

Bottom Line

Independence is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $8,100/year vs $16,800/year in Trenton. Religious schools run $5,700/year on the low end.

Independence

$8,100

avg tuition/year

$4,250 below national avg

Lower cost

Trenton

$16,800

avg tuition/year

$4,450 above national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Independence	Trenton	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$8,100/yr	$16,800/yr	-$8,700
Religious Schools	$5,700/yr	$10,800/yr	-$5,100
Independent/Prep	$18,900/yr	$35,800/yr	-$16,900
Elementary (K-5)	$6,900/yr	$14,300/yr	-$7,400
Middle School (6-8)	$8,100/yr	$16,800/yr	-$8,700
High School (9-12)	$9,700/yr	$20,200/yr	-$10,500

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Independence

$105,300

Trenton

$218,400

Choosing Independence saves $113,100 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $226,200.

Sample Schools

Independence

Van Horn Academy (Independence MO)

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

Truman Academy

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

Trenton

Notre Dame High School (Trenton NJ)

Catholic · 9–12 · $14,200/yr

Trenton Catholic Academy

Catholic · K–12 · $12,400/yr

Full Independence breakdown → Full Trenton breakdown →

Missouri private school costs New Jersey 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.