Is private school cheaper in Lee's Summit or South Bend?

South Bend has lower average private school tuition at $7,400/year vs $8,600/year in Lee's Summit. That's $1,200/year less, or $15,600 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in South Bend is $1,200/year less than Lee's Summit. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $15,600 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $6,100/year in Lee's Summit, $5,500/year in South Bend.

How do Lee's Summit and South Bend 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). South Bend averages $7,400/year ($4,950 below average).

Private School Cost: Lee's Summit vs South Bend

South Bend averages $1,200/year less for private school (16% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $15,600 per child.

Bottom Line

South Bend is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $7,400/year vs $8,600/year in Lee's Summit. Religious schools run $5,500/year on the low end.

Lee's Summit

$8,600

avg tuition/year

$3,750 below national avg

South Bend

$7,400

avg tuition/year

$4,950 below national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Lee's Summit	South Bend	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$8,600/yr	$7,400/yr	+$1,200
Religious Schools	$6,100/yr	$5,500/yr	+$600
Independent/Prep	$20,100/yr	$15,400/yr	+$4,700
Elementary (K-5)	$7,300/yr	$6,300/yr	+$1,000
Middle School (6-8)	$8,600/yr	$7,400/yr	+$1,200
High School (9-12)	$10,300/yr	$8,900/yr	+$1,400

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Lee's Summit

$111,800

South Bend

$96,200

Choosing South Bend saves $15,600 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $31,200.

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

South Bend

Saint Joseph High School (South Bend)

Catholic · 9–12 · $9,600/yr

South Bend STEM Academy

Independent · K–12 · $9,200-$11,400/yr

Full Lee's Summit breakdown → Full South Bend breakdown →

Missouri private school costs Indiana 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.