Is private school cheaper in Springfield or Trenton?

Springfield has lower average private school tuition at $7,700/year vs $16,800/year in Trenton. That's $9,100/year less, or $118,300 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Springfield is $9,100/year less than Trenton. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $118,300 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $5,500/year in Springfield, $10,800/year in Trenton.

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

The national average private school tuition is $12,350/year. Springfield averages $7,700/year ($4,650 below average). Trenton averages $16,800/year ($4,450 above average).

Private School Cost: Springfield vs Trenton

Springfield averages $9,100/year less for private school (118% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $118,300 per child.

Bottom Line

Springfield is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $7,700/year vs $16,800/year in Trenton. Religious schools run $5,500/year on the low end.

Springfield

$7,700

avg tuition/year

$4,650 below national avg

Lower cost

Trenton

$16,800

avg tuition/year

$4,450 above national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Springfield	Trenton	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$7,700/yr	$16,800/yr	-$9,100
Religious Schools	$5,500/yr	$10,800/yr	-$5,300
Independent/Prep	$18,000/yr	$35,800/yr	-$17,800
Elementary (K-5)	$6,500/yr	$14,300/yr	-$7,800
Middle School (6-8)	$7,700/yr	$16,800/yr	-$9,100
High School (9-12)	$9,200/yr	$20,200/yr	-$11,000

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Springfield

$100,100

Trenton

$218,400

Choosing Springfield saves $118,300 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $236,600.

Sample Schools

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

Trenton

Notre Dame High School (Trenton NJ)

Catholic · 9–12 · $14,200/yr

Trenton Catholic Academy

Catholic · K–12 · $12,400/yr

Full Springfield breakdown → Full Trenton breakdown →

Missouri private school costs New Jersey 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.