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

Lee's Summit has lower average private school tuition at $8,600/year vs $14,900/year in Riverside. That's $6,300/year less, or $81,900 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Lee's Summit is $6,300/year less than Riverside. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $81,900 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $6,100/year in Lee's Summit, $9,700/year in Riverside.

How do Lee's Summit and Riverside 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). Riverside averages $14,900/year ($2,550 above average).

Private School Cost: Lee's Summit vs Riverside

Lee's Summit averages $6,300/year less for private school (73% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $81,900 per child.

Bottom Line

Lee's Summit is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $8,600/year vs $14,900/year in Riverside. 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

Riverside

$14,900

avg tuition/year

$2,550 above national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Lee's Summit	Riverside	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$8,600/yr	$14,900/yr	-$6,300
Religious Schools	$6,100/yr	$9,700/yr	-$3,600
Independent/Prep	$20,100/yr	$29,000/yr	-$8,900
Elementary (K-5)	$7,300/yr	$12,700/yr	-$5,400
Middle School (6-8)	$8,600/yr	$14,900/yr	-$6,300
High School (9-12)	$10,300/yr	$17,900/yr	-$7,600

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Lee's Summit

$111,800

Riverside

$193,700

Choosing Lee's Summit saves $81,900 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $163,800.

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

Riverside

Notre Dame High School (Riverside)

Catholic · 9–12 · $17,800/yr

Riverside Christian School

Christian · K–12 · $9,200-$11,400/yr

Full Lee's Summit breakdown → Full Riverside breakdown →

Missouri private school costs California 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.