Is private school cheaper in Kansas City or Nashville?

Kansas City has lower average private school tuition at $12,800/year vs $14,200/year in Nashville. That's $1,400/year less, or $18,200 over a K-12 career.

How much can I save on private school by choosing Kansas City over Nashville?

Average tuition in Kansas City is $1,400/year less than Nashville. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $18,200 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $8,200/year in Kansas City, $8,800/year in Nashville.

How do Kansas City and Nashville private school costs compare to the national average?

The national average private school tuition is $12,350/year. Kansas City averages $12,800/year ($450 above average). Nashville averages $14,200/year ($1,850 above average).

Private School Cost: Kansas City vs Nashville

Kansas City averages $1,400/year less for private school (11% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $18,200 per child.

Bottom Line

Kansas City is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $12,800/year vs $14,200/year in Nashville. Religious schools run $8,200/year on the low end.

Kansas City

$12,800

avg tuition/year

$450 above national avg

Lower cost

Nashville

$14,200

avg tuition/year

$1,850 above national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Kansas City	Nashville	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$12,800/yr	$14,200/yr	-$1,400
Religious Schools	$8,200/yr	$8,800/yr	-$600
Independent/Prep	$24,000/yr	$26,500/yr	-$2,500
Elementary (K-5)	$10,400/yr	$11,600/yr	-$1,200
Middle School (6-8)	$12,800/yr	$14,200/yr	-$1,400
High School (9-12)	$15,800/yr	$17,500/yr	-$1,700

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Kansas City

$166,400

Nashville

$184,600

Choosing Kansas City saves $18,200 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $36,400.

Sample Schools

Kansas City

Pembroke Hill School

Independent · PK–12 · $24,800-$26,400/yr

Rockhurst High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $16,200/yr

Bishop Miege High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $14,200/yr

St. Teresa's Academy (KC)

Catholic · 9–12 · $13,800/yr

Nashville

Montgomery Bell Academy

Independent · 7–12 · $29,400/yr

Harpeth Hall School

Independent · 5–12 · $28,800/yr

University School of Nashville

Independent · K–12 · $26,200/yr

Father Ryan High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $16,800/yr

Full Kansas City breakdown → Full Nashville breakdown →

Missouri private school costs Tennessee private school costs

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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.