Is private school cheaper in Kansas City or Waterbury?

Kansas City has lower average private school tuition at $12,800/year vs $20,500/year in Waterbury. That's $7,700/year less, or $100,100 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Kansas City is $7,700/year less than Waterbury. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $100,100 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $8,200/year in Kansas City, $11,300/year in Waterbury.

How do Kansas City and Waterbury 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). Waterbury averages $20,500/year ($8,150 above average).

Private School Cost: Kansas City vs Waterbury

Kansas City averages $7,700/year less for private school (60% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $100,100 per child.

Bottom Line

Kansas City is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $12,800/year vs $20,500/year in Waterbury. Religious schools run $8,200/year on the low end.

Kansas City

$12,800

avg tuition/year

$450 above national avg

Lower cost

Waterbury

$20,500

avg tuition/year

$8,150 above national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Kansas City	Waterbury	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$12,800/yr	$20,500/yr	-$7,700
Religious Schools	$8,200/yr	$11,300/yr	-$3,100
Independent/Prep	$24,000/yr	$40,800/yr	-$16,800
Elementary (K-5)	$10,400/yr	$17,400/yr	-$7,000
Middle School (6-8)	$12,800/yr	$20,500/yr	-$7,700
High School (9-12)	$15,800/yr	$24,600/yr	-$8,800

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Kansas City

$166,400

Waterbury

$266,500

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

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

Waterbury

Holy Cross High School (Waterbury)

Catholic · 9–12 · $14,800/yr

Crosby High School (Waterbury)

Independent · 9–12 · $9,800/yr

Full Kansas City breakdown → Full Waterbury breakdown →

Missouri private school costs Connecticut 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.