Is private school cheaper in Kansas City or New Orleans?

New Orleans has lower average private school tuition at $11,800/year vs $12,800/year in Kansas City. That's $1,000/year less, or $13,000 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in New Orleans is $1,000/year less than Kansas City. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $13,000 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $8,200/year in Kansas City, $7,600/year in New Orleans.

How do Kansas City and New Orleans 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). New Orleans averages $11,800/year ($550 below average).

Private School Cost: Kansas City vs New Orleans

New Orleans averages $1,000/year less for private school (8% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $13,000 per child.

Bottom Line

New Orleans is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $11,800/year vs $12,800/year in Kansas City. Religious schools run $7,600/year on the low end.

Kansas City

$12,800

avg tuition/year

$450 above national avg

New Orleans

$11,800

avg tuition/year

$550 below national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Kansas City	New Orleans	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$12,800/yr	$11,800/yr	+$1,000
Religious Schools	$8,200/yr	$7,600/yr	+$600
Independent/Prep	$24,000/yr	$22,000/yr	+$2,000
Elementary (K-5)	$10,400/yr	$9,600/yr	+$800
Middle School (6-8)	$12,800/yr	$11,800/yr	+$1,000
High School (9-12)	$15,800/yr	$14,600/yr	+$1,200

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Kansas City

$166,400

New Orleans

$153,400

Choosing New Orleans saves $13,000 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $26,000.

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

New Orleans

Tulane-affiliated University Schools

Independent · PK–12 · $21,400-$23,800/yr

Jesuit High School New Orleans

Catholic · 9–12 · $15,400/yr

Ursuline Academy (New Orleans)

Catholic · 6–12 · $13,200/yr

Brother Martin High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $12,800/yr

Full Kansas City breakdown → Full New Orleans breakdown →

Missouri private school costs Louisiana 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.