Is private school cheaper in Little Rock or Meridian?

Little Rock has lower average private school tuition at $6,600/year vs $7,800/year in Meridian. That's $1,200/year less, or $15,600 over a K-12 career.

How much can I save on private school by choosing Little Rock over Meridian?

Average tuition in Little Rock is $1,200/year less than Meridian. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $15,600 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $5,000/year in Little Rock, $5,300/year in Meridian.

How do Little Rock and Meridian private school costs compare to the national average?

The national average private school tuition is $12,350/year. Little Rock averages $6,600/year ($5,750 below average). Meridian averages $7,800/year ($4,550 below average).

Private School Cost: Little Rock vs Meridian

Little Rock averages $1,200/year less for private school (18% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $15,600 per child.

Bottom Line

Little Rock is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $6,600/year vs $7,800/year in Meridian. Religious schools run $5,000/year on the low end.

Little Rock

$6,600

avg tuition/year

$5,750 below national avg

Lower cost

Meridian

$7,800

avg tuition/year

$4,550 below national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Little Rock	Meridian	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$6,600/yr	$7,800/yr	-$1,200
Religious Schools	$5,000/yr	$5,300/yr	-$300
Independent/Prep	$13,100/yr	$15,100/yr	-$2,000
Elementary (K-5)	$5,600/yr	$6,600/yr	-$1,000
Middle School (6-8)	$6,600/yr	$7,800/yr	-$1,200
High School (9-12)	$7,900/yr	$9,400/yr	-$1,500

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Little Rock

$85,800

Meridian

$101,400

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

Sample Schools

Little Rock

Pulaski Academy (Little Rock)

Independent · PK–12 · $11,800/yr

Mount St. Mary Academy

Catholic · 9–12 · $11,200/yr

Meridian

Nampa Christian Schools

Christian · K–12 · $9,200-$11,400/yr

Victory Charter School (Meridian)

Independent · K–12 · $8,400-$10,400/yr

Full Little Rock breakdown → Full Meridian breakdown →

Arkansas private school costs Idaho 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.