Is private school cheaper in St. Louis or Tampa?

Tampa has lower average private school tuition at $12,500/year vs $13,000/year in St. Louis. That's $500/year less, or $6,500 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Tampa is $500/year less than St. Louis. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $6,500 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $8,400/year in St. Louis, $8,200/year in Tampa.

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

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

Private School Cost: St. Louis vs Tampa

Tampa averages $500/year less for private school (4% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $6,500 per child.

Bottom Line

Tampa is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $12,500/year vs $13,000/year in St. Louis. Religious schools run $8,200/year on the low end.

St. Louis

$13,000

avg tuition/year

$650 above national avg

Tampa

$12,500

avg tuition/year

$150 above national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	St. Louis	Tampa	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$13,000/yr	$12,500/yr	+$500
Religious Schools	$8,400/yr	$8,200/yr	+$200
Independent/Prep	$24,500/yr	$23,500/yr	+$1,000
Elementary (K-5)	$10,600/yr	$10,200/yr	+$400
Middle School (6-8)	$13,000/yr	$12,500/yr	+$500
High School (9-12)	$16,000/yr	$15,500/yr	+$500

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

St. Louis

$169,000

Tampa

$162,500

Choosing Tampa saves $6,500 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $13,000.

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

Tampa

Academy at the Lakes

Independent · PK–12 · $23,800-$26,200/yr

Jesuit High School (Tampa)

Catholic · 9–12 · $16,800/yr

Berkeley Preparatory School

Independent · PK–12 · $27,200-$29,800/yr

Tampa Prep

Independent · 6–12 · $22,400-$24,200/yr

Full St. Louis breakdown → Full Tampa breakdown →

Missouri private school costs Florida private school costs

Related Comparisons

Miami vs Tampa → Tampa vs Orlando →

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.