Is private school cheaper in Little Rock or Springfield?

Little Rock has lower average private school tuition at $6,600/year vs $7,700/year in Springfield. That's $1,100/year less, or $14,300 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Little Rock is $1,100/year less than Springfield. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $14,300 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $5,000/year in Little Rock, $5,500/year in Springfield.

How do Little Rock and Springfield 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). Springfield averages $7,700/year ($4,650 below average).

Private School Cost: Little Rock vs Springfield

Little Rock averages $1,100/year less for private school (17% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $14,300 per child.

Bottom Line

Little Rock is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $6,600/year vs $7,700/year in Springfield. Religious schools run $5,000/year on the low end.

Little Rock

$6,600

avg tuition/year

$5,750 below national avg

Lower cost

Springfield

$7,700

avg tuition/year

$4,650 below national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Little Rock	Springfield	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$6,600/yr	$7,700/yr	-$1,100
Religious Schools	$5,000/yr	$5,500/yr	-$500
Independent/Prep	$13,100/yr	$18,000/yr	-$4,900
Elementary (K-5)	$5,600/yr	$6,500/yr	-$900
Middle School (6-8)	$6,600/yr	$7,700/yr	-$1,100
High School (9-12)	$7,900/yr	$9,200/yr	-$1,300

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Little Rock

$85,800

Springfield

$100,100

Choosing Little Rock saves $14,300 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $28,600.

Sample Schools

Little Rock

Pulaski Academy (Little Rock)

Independent · PK–12 · $11,800/yr

Mount St. Mary Academy

Catholic · 9–12 · $11,200/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 Little Rock breakdown → Full Springfield breakdown →

Arkansas 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.