Is private school cheaper in Salem or Springfield?

Springfield has lower average private school tuition at $7,700/year vs $12,400/year in Salem. That's $4,700/year less, or $61,100 over a K-12 career.

How much can I save on private school by choosing Springfield over Salem?

Average tuition in Springfield is $4,700/year less than Salem. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $61,100 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $8,400/year in Salem, $5,500/year in Springfield.

How do Salem and Springfield private school costs compare to the national average?

The national average private school tuition is $12,350/year. Salem averages $12,400/year ($50 above average). Springfield averages $7,700/year ($4,650 below average).

Private School Cost: Salem vs Springfield

Springfield averages $4,700/year less for private school (61% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $61,100 per child.

Bottom Line

Springfield is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $7,700/year vs $12,400/year in Salem. Religious schools run $5,500/year on the low end.

Salem

$12,400

avg tuition/year

$50 above national avg

Springfield

$7,700

avg tuition/year

$4,650 below national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Salem	Springfield	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$12,400/yr	$7,700/yr	+$4,700
Religious Schools	$8,400/yr	$5,500/yr	+$2,900
Independent/Prep	$25,000/yr	$18,000/yr	+$7,000
Elementary (K-5)	$10,500/yr	$6,500/yr	+$4,000
Middle School (6-8)	$12,400/yr	$7,700/yr	+$4,700
High School (9-12)	$14,900/yr	$9,200/yr	+$5,700

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Salem

$161,200

Springfield

$100,100

Choosing Springfield saves $61,100 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $122,200.

Sample Schools

Salem

Salem Academy (OR)

Christian · 9–12 · $14,800/yr

Blanchet Catholic School (Salem)

Catholic · 9–12 · $12,400/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

Full Salem breakdown → Full Springfield breakdown →

Oregon 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.