Is private school cheaper in New York City or St. Louis?

St. Louis has lower average private school tuition at $13,000/year vs $38,500/year in New York City. That's $25,500/year less, or $331,500 over a K-12 career.

How much can I save on private school by choosing St. Louis over New York City?

Average tuition in St. Louis is $25,500/year less than New York City. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $331,500 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $17,500/year in New York City, $8,400/year in St. Louis.

How do New York City and St. Louis private school costs compare to the national average?

The national average private school tuition is $12,350/year. New York City averages $38,500/year ($26,150 above average). St. Louis averages $13,000/year ($650 above average).

Private School Cost: New York City vs St. Louis

St. Louis averages $25,500/year less for private school (196% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $331,500 per child.

Bottom Line

St. Louis is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $13,000/year vs $38,500/year in New York City. Religious schools run $8,400/year on the low end.

New York City

$38,500

avg tuition/year

$26,150 above national avg

St. Louis

$13,000

avg tuition/year

$650 above national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	New York City	St. Louis	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$38,500/yr	$13,000/yr	+$25,500
Religious Schools	$17,500/yr	$8,400/yr	+$9,100
Independent/Prep	$58,000/yr	$24,500/yr	+$33,500
Elementary (K-5)	$32,000/yr	$10,600/yr	+$21,400
Middle School (6-8)	$38,500/yr	$13,000/yr	+$25,500
High School (9-12)	$48,000/yr	$16,000/yr	+$32,000

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

New York City

$500,500

St. Louis

$169,000

Choosing St. Louis saves $331,500 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $663,000.

Sample Schools

New York City

Dalton School

Independent · K–12 · $60,310/yr

Trinity School NYC

Independent · K–12 · $59,900/yr

Horace Mann School

Independent · K–12 · $59,200/yr

Regis High School

Catholic (tuition-free) · 9–12

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 New York City breakdown → Full St. Louis breakdown →

New York private school costs Missouri private school costs

Related Comparisons

New York vs Boston → New York vs Philadelphia → New York vs Chicago → New York vs Houston →

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.