Is private school cheaper in Lincoln or Springfield?

Lincoln has lower average private school tuition at $7,200/year vs $7,700/year in Springfield. That's $500/year less, or $6,500 over a K-12 career.

How much can I save on private school by choosing Lincoln over Springfield?

Average tuition in Lincoln is $500/year less than Springfield. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $6,500 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $5,000/year in Lincoln, $5,500/year in Springfield.

How do Lincoln and Springfield private school costs compare to the national average?

The national average private school tuition is $12,350/year. Lincoln averages $7,200/year ($5,150 below average). Springfield averages $7,700/year ($4,650 below average).

Private School Cost: Lincoln vs Springfield

Lincoln averages $500/year less for private school (7% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $6,500 per child.

Bottom Line

Lincoln is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $7,200/year vs $7,700/year in Springfield. Religious schools run $5,000/year on the low end.

Lincoln

$7,200

avg tuition/year

$5,150 below national avg

Lower cost

Springfield

$7,700

avg tuition/year

$4,650 below national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Lincoln	Springfield	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$7,200/yr	$7,700/yr	-$500
Religious Schools	$5,000/yr	$5,500/yr	-$500
Independent/Prep	$15,600/yr	$18,000/yr	-$2,400
Elementary (K-5)	$6,100/yr	$6,500/yr	-$400
Middle School (6-8)	$7,200/yr	$7,700/yr	-$500
High School (9-12)	$8,600/yr	$9,200/yr	-$600

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Lincoln

$93,600

Springfield

$100,100

Choosing Lincoln saves $6,500 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $13,000.

Sample Schools

Lincoln

Lincoln Christian High School

Christian · K–12 · $9,600-$11,800/yr

Pius X High School (Lincoln)

Catholic · 9–12 · $8,800/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 Lincoln breakdown → Full Springfield breakdown →

Nebraska private school costs 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.