For the 2026 school year, there are 665 private schools serving 119,978 students in Missouri (there are 2,474 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 $12,196 for elementary schools and $14,833 for high schools (view national tuition averages).
The top-ranked private schools in Missouri include Barstow School, Chaminade College Prep School, and St. Louis University High 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
665 Schools
Student Body:
# Students
119,978 Students
5,709,171 Students
% Average Students of Color
20%
34%
Student By Grade
Academics and Faculty:
# Teachers
9,951 Teachers
507,987 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
$12,808
$14,886
Average Summer Program Cost
$585
$1,157
Average % on Financial Aid
36%
35%
Average Financial Aid Grant
$6,130
$7,120
Average Acceptance Rate
86%
82%
Average Endowment Size
$23.69 million
$61.58 million
Students by Ethnicity:
Diversity Score
0.55
0.65
# American Indian Students
284 Students
30,180 Students
% American Indian Students
n/a
1%
# Asian Students
3,151 Students
265,302 Students
% Asian Students
3%
5%
# Hispanic Students
5,339 Students
507,894 Students
% Hispanic Students
5%
9%
# Black Students
7,609 Students
417,176 Students
% Black Students
7%
7%
# White Students
73,265 Students
2,937,446 Students
% White Students
62%
52%
# Hawaiian Students
218 Students
22,254 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
27,401 Students
1,474,106 Students
% of Others Students
23%
26%
All Ethnic Groups
Extracurriculars and Sports:
Average Number of Extracurriculars
9 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 Barstow School, Chaminade College Prep School, and St. Louis University High School.
How many private schools are located in Missouri?
There are 665 private schools are located in Missouri.
How much do private schools cost in Missouri?
The average private school tuition in Missouri is $12,196 for elementary schools and $14,833 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
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