Is private school cheaper in San Jose or St. Louis?

St. Louis has lower average private school tuition at $13,000/year vs $25,200/year in San Jose. That's $12,200/year less, or $158,600 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in St. Louis is $12,200/year less than San Jose. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $158,600 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $13,800/year in San Jose, $8,400/year in St. Louis.

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

The national average private school tuition is $12,350/year. San Jose averages $25,200/year ($12,850 above average). St. Louis averages $13,000/year ($650 above average).

Private School Cost: San Jose vs St. Louis

St. Louis averages $12,200/year less for private school (94% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $158,600 per child.

Bottom Line

St. Louis is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $13,000/year vs $25,200/year in San Jose. Religious schools run $8,400/year on the low end.

San Jose

$25,200

avg tuition/year

$12,850 above national avg

St. Louis

$13,000

avg tuition/year

$650 above national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	San Jose	St. Louis	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$25,200/yr	$13,000/yr	+$12,200
Religious Schools	$13,800/yr	$8,400/yr	+$5,400
Independent/Prep	$40,500/yr	$24,500/yr	+$16,000
Elementary (K-5)	$20,500/yr	$10,600/yr	+$9,900
Middle School (6-8)	$25,200/yr	$13,000/yr	+$12,200
High School (9-12)	$31,200/yr	$16,000/yr	+$15,200

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

San Jose

$327,600

St. Louis

$169,000

Choosing St. Louis saves $158,600 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $317,200.

Sample Schools

San Jose

Harker School

Independent · K–12 · $48,200-$51,600/yr

Bellarmine College Preparatory

Catholic · 9–12 · $22,800/yr

Archbishop Mitty High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $21,400/yr

Presentation High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $20,800/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 San Jose breakdown → Full St. Louis breakdown →

California private school costs Missouri private school costs

Related Comparisons

Los Angeles vs San Jose → San Francisco vs San Jose →

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.