Is private school cheaper in Lee's Summit or Washington DC?

Lee's Summit has lower average private school tuition at $8,600/year vs $28,400/year in Washington DC. That's $19,800/year less, or $257,400 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Lee's Summit is $19,800/year less than Washington DC. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $257,400 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $6,100/year in Lee's Summit, $15,200/year in Washington DC.

How do Lee's Summit and Washington DC 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). Washington DC averages $28,400/year ($16,050 above average).

Private School Cost: Lee's Summit vs Washington DC

Lee's Summit averages $19,800/year less for private school (230% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $257,400 per child.

Bottom Line

Lee's Summit is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $8,600/year vs $28,400/year in Washington DC. 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

Washington DC

$28,400

avg tuition/year

$16,050 above national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Lee's Summit	Washington DC	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$8,600/yr	$28,400/yr	-$19,800
Religious Schools	$6,100/yr	$15,200/yr	-$9,100
Independent/Prep	$20,100/yr	$46,000/yr	-$25,900
Elementary (K-5)	$7,300/yr	$23,000/yr	-$15,700
Middle School (6-8)	$8,600/yr	$28,400/yr	-$19,800
High School (9-12)	$10,300/yr	$35,500/yr	-$25,200

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Lee's Summit

$111,800

Washington DC

$369,200

Choosing Lee's Summit saves $257,400 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $514,800.

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

Washington DC

Sidwell Friends School

Independent (Quaker) · PK–12 · $52,900/yr

Georgetown Day School

Independent · PK–12 · $51,400/yr

National Cathedral School

Independent · 4–12 · $50,200/yr

Gonzaga College High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $25,400/yr

Full Lee's Summit breakdown → Full Washington DC breakdown →

Missouri private school costs District of Columbia private school costs

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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.