Private School Cost in Missouri (2026)
Private schools in Missouri average $8,750/year. 29% below national avg. Religious schools run $6,200/year; independent schools average $20,500/year.
State Average
$8,750
per year
Monthly Est.
$729
per month
Private Schools
630
in Missouri
vs National
-$3,600
per year
Tuition by School Type in Missouri
Average annual tuition, 2026 NCES data
Religious Schools
Catholic, Christian, Jewish, and other faith-based schools.
$6,200/yr
-23% vs national ($8,000)
Independent Schools
Non-religious private day schools and prep schools.
$20,500/yr
-18% vs national ($25,000)
Montessori Schools
Child-led learning programs, typically PK–8.
$11,500/yr
-8% vs national ($12,500)
All Private Schools (Avg)
Blended average across all types.
$8,750/yr
-29% vs national ($12,350)
Cost Range in Missouri
25th Percentile
$4,800
More affordable options
State Average
$8,750
Typical school
75th Percentile
$14,500
Premium schools
Most Missouri private schools fall between $4,800 and $14,500/year. Individual schools vary — always contact the school directly for exact tuition figures.
Can I Afford Private School in Missouri?
Enter your household income to see how Missouri's average tuition fits your budget.
Private vs Public in Missouri
Private School (avg)
$8,750
per year, out-of-pocket
- • Avg class size: 12–15 students
- • Financial aid available (27% of students)
- • Specialized curriculum options
Public School
$12,180
per pupil, taxpayer-funded
- • Avg class size: 16–22 students
- • Free to attend (hidden costs: $1,500–$5,000/yr)
- • Quality varies widely by district
Missouri spends $12,180/pupil in public schools (state average). Private schools charge an average of $8,750/year — a gap of $3,430/year less than public per-pupil spending.
Financial Aid in Missouri
About 27% of private school students nationally receive need-based financial aid, averaging 48% of tuition. At Missouri's average of $8,750/year, that's roughly $4,200/year in aid for qualifying families. Most Missouri private schools use FAST or SSS applications — ask the admissions office to start the process.
Learn more about private school financial aid →Compare Other States
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does private school cost in Missouri?
Private school in Missouri averages $8,750/year — 29% below the national average of $12,350/year. Religious schools average $6,200/year; independent schools average $20,500/year. Missouri has approximately 630 private schools. Source: NCES 2023–24.
What is the average private school tuition in Missouri?
The average private school tuition in Missouri is $8,750/year. That breaks down to roughly $729/month on a 12-month payment plan. Religious schools run lower at $6,200/year; independent schools average $20,500/year.
How does Missouri private school cost compare to the national average?
Missouri private school tuition averages $8,750/year, which is 29% below the national average ($12,350/year). Missouri is one of the more affordable states for private education, with a higher share of parish-subsidized religious schools keeping costs down.
How many private schools are in Missouri?
Missouri has approximately 630 private schools. These include religious (Catholic, Christian, Jewish, and other faith-based) schools, independent schools, Montessori programs, and boarding schools. Source: NCES Private School Universe Survey.
Can I afford private school in Missouri?
A common guideline is to keep private school tuition under 10–15% of gross household income. At Missouri's average of $8,750/year, that means a household income of $73,000+ is generally needed without financial stress. About 27% of private school families receive need-based aid averaging 48% of tuition — contact the school's admissions office to learn about aid options.
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K–12 Total Cost
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