Is private school cheaper in Sacramento or St. Louis?

St. Louis has lower average private school tuition at $13,000/year vs $16,000/year in Sacramento. That's $3,000/year less, or $39,000 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in St. Louis is $3,000/year less than Sacramento. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $39,000 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $9,800/year in Sacramento, $8,400/year in St. Louis.

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

The national average private school tuition is $12,350/year. Sacramento averages $16,000/year ($3,650 above average). St. Louis averages $13,000/year ($650 above average).

Private School Cost: Sacramento vs St. Louis

St. Louis averages $3,000/year less for private school (23% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $39,000 per child.

Bottom Line

St. Louis is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $13,000/year vs $16,000/year in Sacramento. Religious schools run $8,400/year on the low end.

Sacramento

$16,000

avg tuition/year

$3,650 above national avg

St. Louis

$13,000

avg tuition/year

$650 above national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Sacramento	St. Louis	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$16,000/yr	$13,000/yr	+$3,000
Religious Schools	$9,800/yr	$8,400/yr	+$1,400
Independent/Prep	$28,500/yr	$24,500/yr	+$4,000
Elementary (K-5)	$13,000/yr	$10,600/yr	+$2,400
Middle School (6-8)	$16,000/yr	$13,000/yr	+$3,000
High School (9-12)	$19,800/yr	$16,000/yr	+$3,800

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Sacramento

$208,000

St. Louis

$169,000

Choosing St. Louis saves $39,000 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $78,000.

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

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 Sacramento 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.