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

Tuscaloosa has lower average private school tuition at $7,300/year vs $8,600/year in Lee's Summit. That's $1,300/year less, or $16,900 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Tuscaloosa is $1,300/year less than Lee's Summit. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $16,900 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $6,100/year in Lee's Summit, $5,400/year in Tuscaloosa.

How do Lee's Summit and Tuscaloosa 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). Tuscaloosa averages $7,300/year ($5,050 below average).

Private School Cost: Lee's Summit vs Tuscaloosa

Tuscaloosa averages $1,300/year less for private school (18% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $16,900 per child.

Bottom Line

Tuscaloosa is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $7,300/year vs $8,600/year in Lee's Summit. Religious schools run $5,400/year on the low end.

Lee's Summit

$8,600

avg tuition/year

$3,750 below national avg

Tuscaloosa

$7,300

avg tuition/year

$5,050 below national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Lee's Summit	Tuscaloosa	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$8,600/yr	$7,300/yr	+$1,300
Religious Schools	$6,100/yr	$5,400/yr	+$700
Independent/Prep	$20,100/yr	$14,800/yr	+$5,300
Elementary (K-5)	$7,300/yr	$6,200/yr	+$1,100
Middle School (6-8)	$8,600/yr	$7,300/yr	+$1,300
High School (9-12)	$10,300/yr	$8,800/yr	+$1,500

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Lee's Summit

$111,800

Tuscaloosa

$94,900

Choosing Tuscaloosa saves $16,900 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $33,800.

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

Tuscaloosa

Tuscaloosa Christian School

Christian · K–12 · $8,800-$11,200/yr

Christian Academy of Tuscaloosa

Christian · K–12 · $8,200-$10,400/yr

Full Lee's Summit breakdown → Full Tuscaloosa 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.