Is private school cheaper in St. Louis or Waco?

Waco has lower average private school tuition at $10,100/year vs $13,000/year in St. Louis. That's $2,900/year less, or $37,700 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Waco is $2,900/year less than St. Louis. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $37,700 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $8,400/year in St. Louis, $6,900/year in Waco.

How do St. Louis and Waco 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). Waco averages $10,100/year ($2,250 below average).

Private School Cost: St. Louis vs Waco

Waco averages $2,900/year less for private school (29% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $37,700 per child.

Bottom Line

Waco is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $10,100/year vs $13,000/year in St. Louis. Religious schools run $6,900/year on the low end.

St. Louis

$13,000

avg tuition/year

$650 above national avg

Waco

$10,100

avg tuition/year

$2,250 below national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	St. Louis	Waco	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$13,000/yr	$10,100/yr	+$2,900
Religious Schools	$8,400/yr	$6,900/yr	+$1,500
Independent/Prep	$24,500/yr	$21,300/yr	+$3,200
Elementary (K-5)	$10,600/yr	$8,600/yr	+$2,000
Middle School (6-8)	$13,000/yr	$10,100/yr	+$2,900
High School (9-12)	$16,000/yr	$12,100/yr	+$3,900

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

St. Louis

$169,000

Waco

$131,300

Choosing Waco saves $37,700 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $75,400.

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

Waco

Vanguard College Preparatory

Christian · 6–12 · $12,400/yr

Reicher Catholic High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $10,200/yr

Full St. Louis breakdown → Full Waco 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.