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

Lee's Summit has lower average private school tuition at $8,600/year vs $16,500/year in Salinas. That's $7,900/year less, or $102,700 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Lee's Summit is $7,900/year less than Salinas. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $102,700 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $6,100/year in Lee's Summit, $10,700/year in Salinas.

How do Lee's Summit and Salinas 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). Salinas averages $16,500/year ($4,150 above average).

Private School Cost: Lee's Summit vs Salinas

Lee's Summit averages $7,900/year less for private school (92% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $102,700 per child.

Bottom Line

Lee's Summit is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $8,600/year vs $16,500/year in Salinas. 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

Salinas

$16,500

avg tuition/year

$4,150 above national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Lee's Summit	Salinas	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$8,600/yr	$16,500/yr	-$7,900
Religious Schools	$6,100/yr	$10,700/yr	-$4,600
Independent/Prep	$20,100/yr	$32,000/yr	-$11,900
Elementary (K-5)	$7,300/yr	$14,000/yr	-$6,700
Middle School (6-8)	$8,600/yr	$16,500/yr	-$7,900
High School (9-12)	$10,300/yr	$19,800/yr	-$9,500

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Lee's Summit

$111,800

Salinas

$214,500

Choosing Lee's Summit saves $102,700 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $205,400.

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

Salinas

Notre Dame School (Salinas)

Catholic · K–8 · $12,600/yr

Salinas Valley Christian School

Christian · K–12 · $9,400-$11,200/yr

Full Lee's Summit breakdown → Full Salinas breakdown →

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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.