Private School Cost: Orlando vs St. Louis
Orlando averages $2,000/year less for private school (18% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $26,000 per child.
Bottom Line
Orlando is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $11,000/year vs $13,000/year in St. Louis. Religious schools run $7,600/year on the low end.
Orlando
FL
$11,000
avg tuition/year
St. Louis
MO
$13,000
avg tuition/year
Tuition by School Type & Grade
| Category | Orlando | St. Louis | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| All Schools (Average) | $11,000/yr | $13,000/yr | -$2,000 |
| Religious Schools | $7,600/yr | $8,400/yr | -$800 |
| Independent/Prep | $22,600/yr | $24,500/yr | -$1,900 |
| Elementary (K-5) | $9,400/yr | $10,600/yr | -$1,200 |
| Middle School (6-8) | $11,000/yr | $13,000/yr | -$2,000 |
| High School (9-12) | $13,200/yr | $16,000/yr | -$2,800 |
K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)
Orlando
$143,000
St. Louis
$169,000
Choosing Orlando saves $26,000 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $52,000.
Sample Schools
Orlando
The First Academy (Orlando)
Christian · PK–12 · $16,800/yr
Lake Highland Preparatory School
Independent · PK–12 · $23,400/yr
Bishop Moore Catholic High School
Catholic · 9–12 · $14,200/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
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.