Private School Cost: Little Rock vs St. Louis
Little Rock averages $6,400/year less for private school (97% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $83,200 per child.
Bottom Line
Little Rock is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $6,600/year vs $13,000/year in St. Louis. Religious schools run $5,000/year on the low end.
Little Rock
AR
$6,600
avg tuition/year
St. Louis
MO
$13,000
avg tuition/year
Tuition by School Type & Grade
| Category | Little Rock | St. Louis | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| All Schools (Average) | $6,600/yr | $13,000/yr | -$6,400 |
| Religious Schools | $5,000/yr | $8,400/yr | -$3,400 |
| Independent/Prep | $13,100/yr | $24,500/yr | -$11,400 |
| Elementary (K-5) | $5,600/yr | $10,600/yr | -$5,000 |
| Middle School (6-8) | $6,600/yr | $13,000/yr | -$6,400 |
| High School (9-12) | $7,900/yr | $16,000/yr | -$8,100 |
K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)
Little Rock
$85,800
St. Louis
$169,000
Choosing Little Rock saves $83,200 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $166,400.
Sample Schools
Little Rock
Pulaski Academy (Little Rock)
Independent · PK–12 · $11,800/yr
Mount St. Mary Academy
Catholic · 9–12 · $11,200/yr
St. Louis
John Burroughs School
Independent · 7–12 · $28,400-$30,800/yr
MICDS (Mary Institute and Country Day School)
Independent · JK–12 · $30,200-$32,800/yr
Chaminade College Preparatory
Catholic · 6–12 · $16,800/yr
St. Louis University High School
Catholic · 9–12 · $17,400/yr
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.