Is private school cheaper in Los Angeles or Springfield?

Springfield has lower average private school tuition at $7,700/year vs $26,800/year in Los Angeles. That's $19,100/year less, or $248,300 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Springfield is $19,100/year less than Los Angeles. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $248,300 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $13,500/year in Los Angeles, $5,500/year in Springfield.

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

The national average private school tuition is $12,350/year. Los Angeles averages $26,800/year ($14,450 above average). Springfield averages $7,700/year ($4,650 below average).

Private School Cost: Los Angeles vs Springfield

Springfield averages $19,100/year less for private school (248% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $248,300 per child.

Bottom Line

Springfield is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $7,700/year vs $26,800/year in Los Angeles. Religious schools run $5,500/year on the low end.

Los Angeles

$26,800

avg tuition/year

$14,450 above national avg

Springfield

$7,700

avg tuition/year

$4,650 below national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Los Angeles	Springfield	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$26,800/yr	$7,700/yr	+$19,100
Religious Schools	$13,500/yr	$5,500/yr	+$8,000
Independent/Prep	$42,000/yr	$18,000/yr	+$24,000
Elementary (K-5)	$22,000/yr	$6,500/yr	+$15,500
Middle School (6-8)	$26,800/yr	$7,700/yr	+$19,100
High School (9-12)	$32,000/yr	$9,200/yr	+$22,800

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Los Angeles

$348,400

Springfield

$100,100

Choosing Springfield saves $248,300 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $496,600.

Sample Schools

Los Angeles

Harvard-Westlake School

Independent · 7–12 · $47,890/yr

Crossroads School for Arts & Sciences

Independent · K–12 · $44,370/yr

Marlborough School

Independent · 7–12 · $44,800/yr

St. Monica Catholic School

Catholic · K–8 · $9,200-$11,400/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 Los Angeles breakdown → Full Springfield breakdown →

California private school costs Missouri private school costs

Related Comparisons

Los Angeles vs San Francisco → Los Angeles vs San Diego → Los Angeles vs San Jose → Irvine vs Los Angeles →

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.