Is private school cheaper in St. Louis or Tuscaloosa?

Tuscaloosa has lower average private school tuition at $7,300/year vs $13,000/year in St. Louis. That's $5,700/year less, or $74,100 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Tuscaloosa is $5,700/year less than St. Louis. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $74,100 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $8,400/year in St. Louis, $5,400/year in Tuscaloosa.

How do St. Louis and Tuscaloosa 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). Tuscaloosa averages $7,300/year ($5,050 below average).

Private School Cost: St. Louis vs Tuscaloosa

Tuscaloosa averages $5,700/year less for private school (78% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $74,100 per child.

Bottom Line

Tuscaloosa is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $7,300/year vs $13,000/year in St. Louis. Religious schools run $5,400/year on the low end.

St. Louis

$13,000

avg tuition/year

$650 above national avg

Tuscaloosa

$7,300

avg tuition/year

$5,050 below national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	St. Louis	Tuscaloosa	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$13,000/yr	$7,300/yr	+$5,700
Religious Schools	$8,400/yr	$5,400/yr	+$3,000
Independent/Prep	$24,500/yr	$14,800/yr	+$9,700
Elementary (K-5)	$10,600/yr	$6,200/yr	+$4,400
Middle School (6-8)	$13,000/yr	$7,300/yr	+$5,700
High School (9-12)	$16,000/yr	$8,800/yr	+$7,200

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

St. Louis

$169,000

Tuscaloosa

$94,900

Choosing Tuscaloosa saves $74,100 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $148,200.

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

Tuscaloosa

Tuscaloosa Christian School

Christian · K–12 · $8,800-$11,200/yr

Christian Academy of Tuscaloosa

Christian · K–12 · $8,200-$10,400/yr

Full St. Louis breakdown → Full Tuscaloosa breakdown →

Missouri private school costs Alabama 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.