Is private school cheaper in Kansas City or St. Louis?

Kansas City has lower average private school tuition at $12,800/year vs $13,000/year in St. Louis. That's $200/year less, or $2,600 over a K-12 career.

How much can I save on private school by choosing Kansas City over St. Louis?

Average tuition in Kansas City is $200/year less than St. Louis. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $2,600 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $8,200/year in Kansas City, $8,400/year in St. Louis.

How do Kansas City and St. Louis 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). St. Louis averages $13,000/year ($650 above average).

Private School Cost: Kansas City vs St. Louis

Kansas City averages $200/year less for private school (2% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $2,600 per child.

Bottom Line

Kansas City is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $12,800/year vs $13,000/year in St. Louis. Religious schools run $8,200/year on the low end.

Kansas City

$12,800

avg tuition/year

$450 above national avg

Lower cost

St. Louis

$13,000

avg tuition/year

$650 above national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Kansas City	St. Louis	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$12,800/yr	$13,000/yr	-$200
Religious Schools	$8,200/yr	$8,400/yr	-$200
Independent/Prep	$24,000/yr	$24,500/yr	-$500
Elementary (K-5)	$10,400/yr	$10,600/yr	-$200
Middle School (6-8)	$12,800/yr	$13,000/yr	-$200
High School (9-12)	$15,800/yr	$16,000/yr	-$200

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Kansas City

$166,400

St. Louis

$169,000

Choosing Kansas City saves $2,600 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $5,200.

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

St. Louis

John Burroughs School

Independent · 7–12 · $28,400-$30,800/yr

MICDS (Mary Institute and Country Day School)

Independent · JK–12 · $30,200-$32,800/yr

Chaminade College Preparatory

Catholic · 6–12 · $16,800/yr

St. Louis University High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $17,400/yr

Full Kansas City breakdown → Full St. Louis breakdown →

Missouri 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.