Is private school cheaper in Peoria or St. Louis?

Peoria has lower average private school tuition at $9,700/year vs $13,000/year in St. Louis. That's $3,300/year less, or $42,900 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Peoria is $3,300/year less than St. Louis. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $42,900 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $7,300/year in Peoria, $8,400/year in St. Louis.

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

The national average private school tuition is $12,350/year. Peoria averages $9,700/year ($2,650 below average). St. Louis averages $13,000/year ($650 above average).

Private School Cost: Peoria vs St. Louis

Peoria averages $3,300/year less for private school (34% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $42,900 per child.

Bottom Line

Peoria is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $9,700/year vs $13,000/year in St. Louis. Religious schools run $7,300/year on the low end.

Peoria

$9,700

avg tuition/year

$2,650 below national avg

Lower cost

St. Louis

$13,000

avg tuition/year

$650 above national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Peoria	St. Louis	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$9,700/yr	$13,000/yr	-$3,300
Religious Schools	$7,300/yr	$8,400/yr	-$1,100
Independent/Prep	$18,500/yr	$24,500/yr	-$6,000
Elementary (K-5)	$8,200/yr	$10,600/yr	-$2,400
Middle School (6-8)	$9,700/yr	$13,000/yr	-$3,300
High School (9-12)	$11,600/yr	$16,000/yr	-$4,400

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Peoria

$126,100

St. Louis

$169,000

Choosing Peoria saves $42,900 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $85,800.

Sample Schools

Peoria

Sandra Day O'Connor Prep (Peoria)

Independent · 9–12 · $10,400/yr

Deer Valley Christian Academy

Christian · K–12 · $8,800-$10,800/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 Peoria 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.