Is private school cheaper in St. Louis or Toledo?

Toledo has lower average private school tuition at $8,200/year vs $13,000/year in St. Louis. That's $4,800/year less, or $62,400 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Toledo is $4,800/year less than St. Louis. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $62,400 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $8,400/year in St. Louis, $5,900/year in Toledo.

How do St. Louis and Toledo 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). Toledo averages $8,200/year ($4,150 below average).

Private School Cost: St. Louis vs Toledo

Toledo averages $4,800/year less for private school (59% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $62,400 per child.

Bottom Line

Toledo is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $8,200/year vs $13,000/year in St. Louis. Religious schools run $5,900/year on the low end.

St. Louis

$13,000

avg tuition/year

$650 above national avg

Toledo

$8,200

avg tuition/year

$4,150 below national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	St. Louis	Toledo	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$13,000/yr	$8,200/yr	+$4,800
Religious Schools	$8,400/yr	$5,900/yr	+$2,500
Independent/Prep	$24,500/yr	$19,100/yr	+$5,400
Elementary (K-5)	$10,600/yr	$7,000/yr	+$3,600
Middle School (6-8)	$13,000/yr	$8,200/yr	+$4,800
High School (9-12)	$16,000/yr	$9,800/yr	+$6,200

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

St. Louis

$169,000

Toledo

$106,600

Choosing Toledo saves $62,400 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $124,800.

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

Toledo

St. Francis de Sales High School (Toledo)

Catholic · 9–12 · $10,400/yr

Toledo Christian Schools

Christian · PK–12 · $9,200-$11,400/yr

Full St. Louis breakdown → Full Toledo breakdown →

Missouri private school costs Ohio 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.