Is private school cheaper in St. Louis or Thornton?

St. Louis has lower average private school tuition at $13,000/year vs $13,100/year in Thornton. That's $100/year less, or $1,300 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in St. Louis is $100/year less than Thornton. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $1,300 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $8,400/year in St. Louis, $8,500/year in Thornton.

How do St. Louis and Thornton 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). Thornton averages $13,100/year ($750 above average).

Private School Cost: St. Louis vs Thornton

St. Louis averages $100/year less for private school (1% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $1,300 per child.

Bottom Line

St. Louis is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $13,000/year vs $13,100/year in Thornton. Religious schools run $8,400/year on the low end.

St. Louis

$13,000

avg tuition/year

$650 above national avg

Lower cost

Thornton

$13,100

avg tuition/year

$750 above national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	St. Louis	Thornton	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$13,000/yr	$13,100/yr	-$100
Religious Schools	$8,400/yr	$8,500/yr	-$100
Independent/Prep	$24,500/yr	$25,700/yr	-$1,200
Elementary (K-5)	$10,600/yr	$11,100/yr	-$500
Middle School (6-8)	$13,000/yr	$13,100/yr	-$100
High School (9-12)	$16,000/yr	$15,700/yr	+$300

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

St. Louis

$169,000

Thornton

$170,300

Choosing St. Louis saves $1,300 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $2,600.

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

Thornton

Thornton Christian Academy

Christian · K–12 · $9,200-$11,400/yr

St. Pius X Catholic School (Thornton)

Catholic · K–8 · $8,400-$10,200/yr

Full St. Louis breakdown → Full Thornton breakdown →

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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.