Is private school cheaper in Murfreesboro or St. Louis?

Murfreesboro has lower average private school tuition at $10,400/year vs $13,000/year in St. Louis. That's $2,600/year less, or $33,800 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Murfreesboro is $2,600/year less than St. Louis. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $33,800 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $7,400/year in Murfreesboro, $8,400/year in St. Louis.

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

The national average private school tuition is $12,350/year. Murfreesboro averages $10,400/year ($1,950 below average). St. Louis averages $13,000/year ($650 above average).

Private School Cost: Murfreesboro vs St. Louis

Murfreesboro averages $2,600/year less for private school (25% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $33,800 per child.

Bottom Line

Murfreesboro is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $10,400/year vs $13,000/year in St. Louis. Religious schools run $7,400/year on the low end.

Murfreesboro

$10,400

avg tuition/year

$1,950 below national avg

Lower cost

St. Louis

$13,000

avg tuition/year

$650 above national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Murfreesboro	St. Louis	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$10,400/yr	$13,000/yr	-$2,600
Religious Schools	$7,400/yr	$8,400/yr	-$1,000
Independent/Prep	$22,100/yr	$24,500/yr	-$2,400
Elementary (K-5)	$8,800/yr	$10,600/yr	-$1,800
Middle School (6-8)	$10,400/yr	$13,000/yr	-$2,600
High School (9-12)	$12,500/yr	$16,000/yr	-$3,500

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Murfreesboro

$135,200

St. Louis

$169,000

Choosing Murfreesboro saves $33,800 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $67,600.

Sample Schools

Murfreesboro

Siegel High School Prep

Independent · 9–12 · $10,400/yr

Murfreesboro Christian Academy

Christian · K–12 · $9,200-$11,800/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 Murfreesboro breakdown → Full St. Louis breakdown →

Tennessee 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.