Private School Cost: Lakeland vs Springfield
Springfield averages $1,900/year less for private school (25% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $24,700 per child.
Bottom Line
Springfield is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $7,700/year vs $9,600/year in Lakeland. Religious schools run $5,500/year on the low end.
Lakeland
FL
$9,600
avg tuition/year
Springfield
MO
$7,700
avg tuition/year
Tuition by School Type & Grade
| Category | Lakeland | Springfield | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| All Schools (Average) | $9,600/yr | $7,700/yr | +$1,900 |
| Religious Schools | $6,600/yr | $5,500/yr | +$1,100 |
| Independent/Prep | $19,800/yr | $18,000/yr | +$1,800 |
| Elementary (K-5) | $8,200/yr | $6,500/yr | +$1,700 |
| Middle School (6-8) | $9,600/yr | $7,700/yr | +$1,900 |
| High School (9-12) | $11,500/yr | $9,200/yr | +$2,300 |
K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)
Lakeland
$124,800
Springfield
$100,100
Choosing Springfield saves $24,700 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $49,400.
Sample Schools
Lakeland
All Saints Academy (Lakeland)
Catholic · PK–12 · $13,800/yr
Victory Christian School (Lakeland)
Christian · K–12 · $9,400-$11,800/yr
Springfield
Greenwood Laboratory School (Springfield MO)
Independent · PK–12 · $8,800-$11,200/yr
St. Agnes Cathedral School
Catholic · K–8 · $7,800-$9,600/yr
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.