Is private school cheaper in Louisville or St. Louis?

Louisville has lower average private school tuition at $11,500/year vs $13,000/year in St. Louis. That's $1,500/year less, or $19,500 over a K-12 career.

How much can I save on private school by choosing Louisville over St. Louis?

Average tuition in Louisville is $1,500/year less than St. Louis. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $19,500 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $7,800/year in Louisville, $8,400/year in St. Louis.

How do Louisville and St. Louis private school costs compare to the national average?

The national average private school tuition is $12,350/year. Louisville averages $11,500/year ($850 below average). St. Louis averages $13,000/year ($650 above average).

Private School Cost: Louisville vs St. Louis

Louisville averages $1,500/year less for private school (13% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $19,500 per child.

Bottom Line

Louisville is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $11,500/year vs $13,000/year in St. Louis. Religious schools run $7,800/year on the low end.

Louisville

$11,500

avg tuition/year

$850 below national avg

Lower cost

St. Louis

$13,000

avg tuition/year

$650 above national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Louisville	St. Louis	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$11,500/yr	$13,000/yr	-$1,500
Religious Schools	$7,800/yr	$8,400/yr	-$600
Independent/Prep	$21,500/yr	$24,500/yr	-$3,000
Elementary (K-5)	$9,400/yr	$10,600/yr	-$1,200
Middle School (6-8)	$11,500/yr	$13,000/yr	-$1,500
High School (9-12)	$14,200/yr	$16,000/yr	-$1,800

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Louisville

$149,500

St. Louis

$169,000

Choosing Louisville saves $19,500 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $39,000.

Sample Schools

Louisville

Louisville Collegiate School

Independent · PK–12 · $22,400-$24,200/yr

Bellarmine University Prep (Affiliated)

Reference · N/A

Male High School (Public Magnet)

Magnet (Free) · 9–12

Trinity High School (Louisville)

Catholic · 9–12 · $13,400/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

Full Louisville breakdown → Full St. Louis breakdown →

Kentucky 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.