Is private school cheaper in Kansas City or New York City?

Kansas City has lower average private school tuition at $12,800/year vs $38,500/year in New York City. That's $25,700/year less, or $334,100 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Kansas City is $25,700/year less than New York City. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $334,100 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $8,200/year in Kansas City, $17,500/year in New York City.

How do Kansas City and New York City 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 York City averages $38,500/year ($26,150 above average).

Private School Cost: Kansas City vs New York City

Kansas City averages $25,700/year less for private school (201% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $334,100 per child.

Bottom Line

Kansas City is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $12,800/year vs $38,500/year in New York City. Religious schools run $8,200/year on the low end.

Kansas City

$12,800

avg tuition/year

$450 above national avg

Lower cost

New York City

$38,500

avg tuition/year

$26,150 above national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Kansas City	New York City	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$12,800/yr	$38,500/yr	-$25,700
Religious Schools	$8,200/yr	$17,500/yr	-$9,300
Independent/Prep	$24,000/yr	$58,000/yr	-$34,000
Elementary (K-5)	$10,400/yr	$32,000/yr	-$21,600
Middle School (6-8)	$12,800/yr	$38,500/yr	-$25,700
High School (9-12)	$15,800/yr	$48,000/yr	-$32,200

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Kansas City

$166,400

New York City

$500,500

Choosing Kansas City saves $334,100 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $668,200.

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 York City

Dalton School

Independent · K–12 · $60,310/yr

Trinity School NYC

Independent · K–12 · $59,900/yr

Horace Mann School

Independent · K–12 · $59,200/yr

Regis High School

Catholic (tuition-free) · 9–12

Full Kansas City breakdown → Full New York City breakdown →

Missouri private school costs New York private school costs

Related Comparisons

New York vs Boston → New York vs Philadelphia → New York vs Chicago → New York vs Houston →

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.