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

Springfield has lower average private school tuition at $7,700/year vs $8,600/year in Lee's Summit. That's $900/year less, or $11,700 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Springfield is $900/year less than Lee's Summit. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $11,700 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $6,100/year in Lee's Summit, $5,500/year in Springfield.

How do Lee's Summit and Springfield 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). Springfield averages $7,700/year ($4,650 below average).

Private School Cost: Lee's Summit vs Springfield

Springfield averages $900/year less for private school (12% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $11,700 per child.

Bottom Line

Springfield is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $7,700/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

Springfield

$7,700

avg tuition/year

$4,650 below national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Lee's Summit	Springfield	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$8,600/yr	$7,700/yr	+$900
Religious Schools	$6,100/yr	$5,500/yr	+$600
Independent/Prep	$20,100/yr	$18,000/yr	+$2,100
Elementary (K-5)	$7,300/yr	$6,500/yr	+$800
Middle School (6-8)	$8,600/yr	$7,700/yr	+$900
High School (9-12)	$10,300/yr	$9,200/yr	+$1,100

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Lee's Summit

$111,800

Springfield

$100,100

Choosing Springfield saves $11,700 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $23,400.

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

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

Full Lee's Summit breakdown → Full Springfield breakdown →

Missouri 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.