For the 2026 school year, there are 662 private schools serving 119,656 students in Missouri (there are 2,473 public schools, serving 891,639 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 $12,265 for elementary schools and $14,994 for high schools (view national tuition averages).
The top-ranked private schools in Missouri include Christian Brothers College High School, St. Louis University High School, and Chaminade College Prep School.
The average acceptance rate is 86% (view national acceptance rates). Minority enrollment is 20% and the student-teacher ratio is 12:1.
Overview
This State (MO)
US
# Schools
662 Schools
Student Body:
# Students
119,656 Students
5,699,317 Students
% Average Students of Color
20%
34%
Student By Grade
Academics and Faculty:
# Teachers
9,929 Teachers
507,826 Teachers
Average Student-Teacher Ratio
12:1
11:1
% Average Faculty w/Advanced Degree
56%
55%
Average Class Size
15 students
15 students
Average Number of AP Courses
15 courses
13 courses
Average SAT score
1291
(Out of 1600)
1233
Average ACT score
26
(Out of 36)
26
Tuition and Acceptance Rate:
Average Yearly Tuition Cost
$12,879
$14,878
Average Summer Program Cost
$585
$1,138
Average % on Financial Aid
36%
35%
Average Financial Aid Grant
$6,107
$7,124
Average Acceptance Rate
86%
82%
Average Endowment Size
$23.69 million
$61.71 million
Students by Ethnicity:
Diversity Score
0.55
0.65
# American Indian Students
284 Students
29,886 Students
% American Indian Students
n/a
1%
# Asian Students
3,149 Students
265,088 Students
% Asian Students
3%
5%
# Hispanic Students
5,326 Students
507,413 Students
% Hispanic Students
5%
9%
# Black Students
7,605 Students
416,690 Students
% Black Students
7%
7%
# White Students
73,094 Students
2,932,713 Students
% White Students
62%
52%
# Hawaiian Students
218 Students
20,067 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
27,369 Students
1,471,571 Students
% of Others Students
23%
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 Christian Brothers College High School, St. Louis University High School, and Chaminade College Prep School.
How many private schools are located in Missouri?
There are 662 private schools are located in Missouri.
How much do private schools cost in Missouri?
The average private school tuition in Missouri is $12,265 for elementary schools and $14,994 for high schools
How diverse are private schools in Missouri?
Approximately 20% 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, St. Paul Lutheran School vs. St. Joseph School, St. Johns Lutheran School vs. Holy Family School
Recent Articles
How Private Schools Evaluate “Soft Skills” Like Leadership and Grit
Learn how private schools assess leadership, grit, resilience, and character, and why these soft skills are becoming increasingly important in admissions.
How Private Schools Handle Cell Phones: Why Phone-Free Campuses Are Growing
Discover how private schools manage cell phones, why phone-free campuses are growing, and how reduced social media access can benefit students.
Executive Function Skills: The Key to Academic Success
Learn why executive function skills are among the strongest predictors of academic success and how parents and schools can strengthen them.
