For the 2026 school year, there are 660 private schools serving 119,929 students in Missouri (there are 2,458 public schools, serving 885,249 students). 12% of all K-12 students in Missouri attend private schools (compared to the national average of 10%).
The average private school tuition is $12,329 for elementary schools and $15,085 for high schools (view national tuition averages).
The top-ranked private schools in Missouri include John Burroughs School, Barstow School, and St. Louis University High School.
The average acceptance rate is 86% (view national acceptance rates). Minority enrollment is 21% and the student-teacher ratio is 12:1.
Overview
This State (MO)
US
# Schools
660 Schools
Student Body:
# Students
119,929 Students
5,693,709 Students
% Average Students of Color
21%
34%
Student By Grade
Academics and Faculty:
# Teachers
9,940 Teachers
507,994 Teachers
Average Student-Teacher Ratio
12:1
11:1
% Average Faculty w/Advanced Degree
56%
55%
Average Class Size
16 students
15 students
Average Number of AP Courses
15 courses
13 courses
Average SAT score
1291
(Out of 1600)
1234
Average ACT score
26
(Out of 36)
26
Tuition and Acceptance Rate:
Average Yearly Tuition Cost
$12,933
$14,913
Average Summer Program Cost
$708
$1,146
Average % on Financial Aid
36%
35%
Average Financial Aid Grant
$5,896
$7,191
Average Acceptance Rate
86%
82%
Average Endowment Size
$24.09 million
$62.25 million
Students by Ethnicity:
Diversity Score
0.55
0.65
# American Indian Students
283 Students
29,825 Students
% American Indian Students
n/a
1%
# Asian Students
3,147 Students
264,979 Students
% Asian Students
3%
5%
# Hispanic Students
5,325 Students
507,039 Students
% Hispanic Students
5%
9%
# Black Students
7,603 Students
416,385 Students
% Black Students
6%
7%
# White Students
73,073 Students
2,931,618 Students
% White Students
62%
52%
# Hawaiian Students
218 Students
20,066 Students
% Hawaiian Students
n/a
n/a
# Two or more races Students
n/a
n/a
% of Two or more races Students
n/a
n/a
# Others Students
27,614 Students
1,471,670 Students
% of Others Students
24%
26%
All Ethnic Groups
Extracurriculars and Sports:
Average Number of Extracurriculars
10 extracurriculars
9 extracurriculars
Average Number of Sports
7 sports
7 sports
Top-Ranked Missouri Private Schools by County (2026)
County
# Schools
# Students
% of K-12 Students in Private Schools
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the top-ranked private schools in Missouri?
The top-ranked private schools in Missouri include John Burroughs School, Barstow School, and St. Louis University High School.
How many private schools are located in Missouri?
There are 660 private schools are located in Missouri.
How much do private schools cost in Missouri?
The average private school tuition in Missouri is $12,329 for elementary schools and $15,085 for high schools
How diverse are private schools in Missouri?
Approximately 21% of students in Missouri private schools are minority students (compared to the national percentage).
What percentage of students in Missouri go to private school?
12% of all K-12 students in Missouri attend private schools (compared to the national average of 10%).
What percentage of private schools are religiously affiliated in Missouri?
Which private schools in Missouri are often viewed compared to one another?
Popular comparisons of private schools in Missouri include: Westside Christian Academy vs. Maranatha Baptist Academy, Victory Baptist Academy vs. Abm Ministries-lighthouse Christian Academy, St. Paul Lutheran School vs. St. Joseph School
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