Private School Cost: St. Louis vs Stockton
St. Louis averages $800/year less for private school (6% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $10,400 per child.
Bottom Line
St. Louis is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $13,000/year vs $13,800/year in Stockton. Religious schools run $8,400/year on the low end.
St. Louis
MO
$13,000
avg tuition/year
Stockton
CA
$13,800
avg tuition/year
Tuition by School Type & Grade
| Category | St. Louis | Stockton | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| All Schools (Average) | $13,000/yr | $13,800/yr | -$800 |
| Religious Schools | $8,400/yr | $9,000/yr | -$600 |
| Independent/Prep | $24,500/yr | $26,800/yr | -$2,300 |
| Elementary (K-5) | $10,600/yr | $11,700/yr | -$1,100 |
| Middle School (6-8) | $13,000/yr | $13,800/yr | -$800 |
| High School (9-12) | $16,000/yr | $16,600/yr | -$600 |
K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)
St. Louis
$169,000
Stockton
$179,400
Choosing St. Louis saves $10,400 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $20,800.
Sample Schools
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
Stockton
St. Mary's High School (Stockton)
Catholic · 9–12 · $14,200/yr
Stockton Christian School
Christian · PK–12 · $8,600-$10,200/yr
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.