Is private school cheaper in Albany or Cedar Rapids?

Cedar Rapids has lower average private school tuition at $6,800/year vs $19,700/year in Albany. That's $12,900/year less, or $167,700 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Cedar Rapids is $12,900/year less than Albany. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $167,700 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $11,300/year in Albany, $4,800/year in Cedar Rapids.

How do Albany and Cedar Rapids 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). Cedar Rapids averages $6,800/year ($5,550 below average).

Private School Cost: Albany vs Cedar Rapids

Cedar Rapids averages $12,900/year less for private school (190% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $167,700 per child.

Bottom Line

Cedar Rapids is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $6,800/year vs $19,700/year in Albany. Religious schools run $4,800/year on the low end.

Albany

$19,700

avg tuition/year

$7,350 above national avg

Cedar Rapids

$6,800

avg tuition/year

$5,550 below national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Albany	Cedar Rapids	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$19,700/yr	$6,800/yr	+$12,900
Religious Schools	$11,300/yr	$4,800/yr	+$6,500
Independent/Prep	$41,900/yr	$14,300/yr	+$27,600
Elementary (K-5)	$16,700/yr	$5,800/yr	+$10,900
Middle School (6-8)	$19,700/yr	$6,800/yr	+$12,900
High School (9-12)	$23,600/yr	$8,200/yr	+$15,400

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Albany

$256,100

Cedar Rapids

$88,400

Choosing Cedar Rapids saves $167,700 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $335,400.

Sample Schools

Albany

Albany Academy (NY)

Independent · PK–12 · $28,400/yr

Vincentian Institute

Catholic · PK–12 · $12,800/yr

Cedar Rapids

Xavier High School (Cedar Rapids)

Catholic · 9–12 · $9,400/yr

Cedar Rapids Christian School

Christian · K–12 · $8,400-$10,400/yr

Full Albany breakdown → Full Cedar Rapids breakdown →

New York private school costs Iowa private school costs

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.