Is private school cheaper in McKinney or St. Louis?

McKinney has lower average private school tuition at $12,600/year vs $13,000/year in St. Louis. That's $400/year less, or $5,200 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in McKinney is $400/year less than St. Louis. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $5,200 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $8,600/year in McKinney, $8,400/year in St. Louis.

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

The national average private school tuition is $12,350/year. McKinney averages $12,600/year ($250 above average). St. Louis averages $13,000/year ($650 above average).

Private School Cost: McKinney vs St. Louis

McKinney averages $400/year less for private school (3% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $5,200 per child.

Bottom Line

McKinney is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $12,600/year vs $13,000/year in St. Louis. Religious schools run $8,400/year on the low end.

McKinney

$12,600

avg tuition/year

$250 above national avg

Lower cost

St. Louis

$13,000

avg tuition/year

$650 above national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	McKinney	St. Louis	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$12,600/yr	$13,000/yr	-$400
Religious Schools	$8,600/yr	$8,400/yr	+$200
Independent/Prep	$26,600/yr	$24,500/yr	+$2,100
Elementary (K-5)	$10,700/yr	$10,600/yr	+$100
Middle School (6-8)	$12,600/yr	$13,000/yr	-$400
High School (9-12)	$15,100/yr	$16,000/yr	-$900

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

McKinney

$163,800

St. Louis

$169,000

Choosing McKinney saves $5,200 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $10,400.

Sample Schools

McKinney

Calvary Christian Academy (McKinney)

Christian · PK–12 · $10,200-$12,800/yr

McKinney Christian Academy

Christian · K–12 · $9,200-$11,400/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 McKinney breakdown → Full St. Louis breakdown →

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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.