Is private school cheaper in Kansas City or Portland?

Kansas City has lower average private school tuition at $12,800/year vs $18,200/year in Portland. That's $5,400/year less, or $70,200 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Kansas City is $5,400/year less than Portland. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $70,200 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $8,200/year in Kansas City, $10,400/year in Portland.

How do Kansas City and Portland 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). Portland averages $18,200/year ($5,850 above average).

Private School Cost: Kansas City vs Portland

Kansas City averages $5,400/year less for private school (42% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $70,200 per child.

Bottom Line

Kansas City is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $12,800/year vs $18,200/year in Portland. Religious schools run $8,200/year on the low end.

Kansas City

$12,800

avg tuition/year

$450 above national avg

Lower cost

Portland

$18,200

avg tuition/year

$5,850 above national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Kansas City	Portland	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$12,800/yr	$18,200/yr	-$5,400
Religious Schools	$8,200/yr	$10,400/yr	-$2,200
Independent/Prep	$24,000/yr	$31,500/yr	-$7,500
Elementary (K-5)	$10,400/yr	$14,800/yr	-$4,400
Middle School (6-8)	$12,800/yr	$18,200/yr	-$5,400
High School (9-12)	$15,800/yr	$22,500/yr	-$6,700

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Kansas City

$166,400

Portland

$236,600

Choosing Kansas City saves $70,200 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $140,400.

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

Portland

Catlin Gabel School

Independent · PK–12 · $38,400-$41,200/yr

Oregon Episcopal School

Independent · PK–12 · $34,800/yr

Jesuit High School (Portland)

Catholic · 9–12 · $19,200/yr

Central Catholic High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $14,800/yr

Full Kansas City breakdown → Full Portland breakdown →

Missouri private school costs Oregon 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.