Is private school cheaper in Albany or Boston?

Albany has lower average private school tuition at $19,700/year vs $36,800/year in Boston. That's $17,100/year less, or $222,300 over a K-12 career.

How much can I save on private school by choosing Albany over Boston?

Average tuition in Albany is $17,100/year less than Boston. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $222,300 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $11,300/year in Albany, $18,500/year in Boston.

How do Albany and Boston private school costs compare to the national average?

The national average private school tuition is $12,350/year. Albany averages $19,700/year ($7,350 above average). Boston averages $36,800/year ($24,450 above average).

Private School Cost: Albany vs Boston

Albany averages $17,100/year less for private school (87% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $222,300 per child.

Bottom Line

Albany is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $19,700/year vs $36,800/year in Boston. Religious schools run $11,300/year on the low end.

Albany

$19,700

avg tuition/year

$7,350 above national avg

Lower cost

Boston

$36,800

avg tuition/year

$24,450 above national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Albany	Boston	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$19,700/yr	$36,800/yr	-$17,100
Religious Schools	$11,300/yr	$18,500/yr	-$7,200
Independent/Prep	$41,900/yr	$56,000/yr	-$14,100
Elementary (K-5)	$16,700/yr	$30,000/yr	-$13,300
Middle School (6-8)	$19,700/yr	$36,800/yr	-$17,100
High School (9-12)	$23,600/yr	$46,000/yr	-$22,400

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Albany

$256,100

Boston

$478,400

Choosing Albany saves $222,300 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $444,600.

Sample Schools

Albany

Albany Academy (NY)

Independent · PK–12 · $28,400/yr

Vincentian Institute

Catholic · PK–12 · $12,800/yr

Boston

Boston Latin School (Exam)

Exam School (Public) · 7–12

Roxbury Latin School

Independent (need-based) · 7–12

Belmont Hill School

Independent · 7–12 · $59,800/yr

Boston College High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $23,100/yr

Full Albany breakdown → Full Boston breakdown →

New York private school costs Massachusetts private school costs

Related Comparisons

New York vs Boston → Boston vs Phoenix → Boston vs Philadelphia →

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.