Private School Cost: Sacramento vs Springfield
Springfield averages $8,300/year less for private school (108% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $107,900 per child.
Bottom Line
Springfield is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $7,700/year vs $16,000/year in Sacramento. Religious schools run $5,500/year on the low end.
Sacramento
CA
$16,000
avg tuition/year
Springfield
MO
$7,700
avg tuition/year
Tuition by School Type & Grade
| Category | Sacramento | Springfield | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| All Schools (Average) | $16,000/yr | $7,700/yr | +$8,300 |
| Religious Schools | $9,800/yr | $5,500/yr | +$4,300 |
| Independent/Prep | $28,500/yr | $18,000/yr | +$10,500 |
| Elementary (K-5) | $13,000/yr | $6,500/yr | +$6,500 |
| Middle School (6-8) | $16,000/yr | $7,700/yr | +$8,300 |
| High School (9-12) | $19,800/yr | $9,200/yr | +$10,600 |
K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)
Sacramento
$208,000
Springfield
$100,100
Choosing Springfield saves $107,900 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $215,800.
Sample Schools
Sacramento
Sacramento Country Day School
Independent · PK–12 · $29,800-$32,400/yr
Christian Brothers High School
Catholic · 9–12 · $18,800/yr
Jesuit High School (Sacramento)
Catholic · 9–12 · $19,400/yr
St. Francis High School (Sacramento)
Catholic · 9–12 · $17,200/yr
Springfield
Greenwood Laboratory School (Springfield MO)
Independent · PK–12 · $8,800-$11,200/yr
St. Agnes Cathedral School
Catholic · K–8 · $7,800-$9,600/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.