Is private school cheaper in Orange County or St. Louis?

St. Louis has lower average private school tuition at $13,000/year vs $20,800/year in Orange County. That's $7,800/year less, or $101,400 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in St. Louis is $7,800/year less than Orange County. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $101,400 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $11,200/year in Orange County, $8,400/year in St. Louis.

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

The national average private school tuition is $12,350/year. Orange County averages $20,800/year ($8,450 above average). St. Louis averages $13,000/year ($650 above average).

Private School Cost: Orange County vs St. Louis

St. Louis averages $7,800/year less for private school (60% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $101,400 per child.

Bottom Line

St. Louis is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $13,000/year vs $20,800/year in Orange County. Religious schools run $8,400/year on the low end.

Orange County

$20,800

avg tuition/year

$8,450 above national avg

St. Louis

$13,000

avg tuition/year

$650 above national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Orange County	St. Louis	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$20,800/yr	$13,000/yr	+$7,800
Religious Schools	$11,200/yr	$8,400/yr	+$2,800
Independent/Prep	$34,800/yr	$24,500/yr	+$10,300
Elementary (K-5)	$17,000/yr	$10,600/yr	+$6,400
Middle School (6-8)	$20,800/yr	$13,000/yr	+$7,800
High School (9-12)	$25,500/yr	$16,000/yr	+$9,500

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Orange County

$270,400

St. Louis

$169,000

Choosing St. Louis saves $101,400 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $202,800.

Sample Schools

Orange County

Sage Hill School

Independent · 9–12 · $41,800/yr

Fairmont Preparatory Academy

Independent · 9–12 · $34,600-$37,200/yr

Calvary Chapel Academy

Christian · K–12 · $10,400-$12,800/yr

JSerra Catholic High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $22,400/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 Orange County breakdown → Full St. Louis breakdown →

California 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.