Is private school cheaper in Seattle or St. Louis?

St. Louis has lower average private school tuition at $13,000/year vs $24,500/year in Seattle. That's $11,500/year less, or $149,500 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in St. Louis is $11,500/year less than Seattle. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $149,500 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $13,200/year in Seattle, $8,400/year in St. Louis.

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

The national average private school tuition is $12,350/year. Seattle averages $24,500/year ($12,150 above average). St. Louis averages $13,000/year ($650 above average).

Private School Cost: Seattle vs St. Louis

St. Louis averages $11,500/year less for private school (88% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $149,500 per child.

Bottom Line

St. Louis is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $13,000/year vs $24,500/year in Seattle. Religious schools run $8,400/year on the low end.

Seattle

$24,500

avg tuition/year

$12,150 above national avg

St. Louis

$13,000

avg tuition/year

$650 above national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Seattle	St. Louis	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$24,500/yr	$13,000/yr	+$11,500
Religious Schools	$13,200/yr	$8,400/yr	+$4,800
Independent/Prep	$38,000/yr	$24,500/yr	+$13,500
Elementary (K-5)	$20,000/yr	$10,600/yr	+$9,400
Middle School (6-8)	$24,500/yr	$13,000/yr	+$11,500
High School (9-12)	$30,500/yr	$16,000/yr	+$14,500

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Seattle

$318,500

St. Louis

$169,000

Choosing St. Louis saves $149,500 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $299,000.

Sample Schools

Seattle

University Prep

Independent · 6–12 · $42,800/yr

Northwest School

Independent · 6–12 · $39,400/yr

Seattle Prep

Catholic · 9–12 · $21,200/yr

O'Dea High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $17,800/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 Seattle breakdown → Full St. Louis breakdown →

Washington private school costs Missouri private school costs

Related Comparisons

Seattle vs Portland → Seattle vs Denver →

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.