Is private school cheaper in Lee's Summit or Richmond?

Lee's Summit has lower average private school tuition at $8,600/year vs $14,500/year in Richmond. That's $5,900/year less, or $76,700 over a K-12 career.

How much can I save on private school by choosing Lee's Summit over Richmond?

Average tuition in Lee's Summit is $5,900/year less than Richmond. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $76,700 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $6,100/year in Lee's Summit, $9,200/year in Richmond.

How do Lee's Summit and Richmond private school costs compare to the national average?

The national average private school tuition is $12,350/year. Lee's Summit averages $8,600/year ($3,750 below average). Richmond averages $14,500/year ($2,150 above average).

Private School Cost: Lee's Summit vs Richmond

Lee's Summit averages $5,900/year less for private school (69% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $76,700 per child.

Bottom Line

Lee's Summit is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $8,600/year vs $14,500/year in Richmond. Religious schools run $6,100/year on the low end.

Lee's Summit

$8,600

avg tuition/year

$3,750 below national avg

Lower cost

Richmond

$14,500

avg tuition/year

$2,150 above national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Lee's Summit	Richmond	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$8,600/yr	$14,500/yr	-$5,900
Religious Schools	$6,100/yr	$9,200/yr	-$3,100
Independent/Prep	$20,100/yr	$27,000/yr	-$6,900
Elementary (K-5)	$7,300/yr	$11,800/yr	-$4,500
Middle School (6-8)	$8,600/yr	$14,500/yr	-$5,900
High School (9-12)	$10,300/yr	$18,000/yr	-$7,700

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Lee's Summit

$111,800

Richmond

$188,500

Choosing Lee's Summit saves $76,700 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $153,400.

Sample Schools

Lee's Summit

Summit Christian Academy (Lee's Summit)

Christian · K–12 · $9,800-$12,400/yr

Holy Spirit Catholic School (LSummit)

Catholic · K–8 · $8,400-$10,400/yr

Richmond

St. Catherine's School (Richmond)

Independent · PK–12 · $28,800-$31,400/yr

St. Christopher's School

Independent · K–12 · $29,200-$31,800/yr

Collegiate School (Richmond)

Independent · PK–12 · $30,400-$32,800/yr

Benedictine College Preparatory

Catholic · 9–12 · $16,200/yr

Full Lee's Summit breakdown → Full Richmond breakdown →

Missouri private school costs Virginia 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.