Is private school cheaper in Albany or New Orleans?

New Orleans has lower average private school tuition at $11,800/year vs $19,700/year in Albany. That's $7,900/year less, or $102,700 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in New Orleans is $7,900/year less than Albany. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $102,700 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $11,300/year in Albany, $7,600/year in New Orleans.

How do Albany and New Orleans 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). New Orleans averages $11,800/year ($550 below average).

Private School Cost: Albany vs New Orleans

New Orleans averages $7,900/year less for private school (67% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $102,700 per child.

Bottom Line

New Orleans is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $11,800/year vs $19,700/year in Albany. Religious schools run $7,600/year on the low end.

Albany

$19,700

avg tuition/year

$7,350 above national avg

New Orleans

$11,800

avg tuition/year

$550 below national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Albany	New Orleans	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$19,700/yr	$11,800/yr	+$7,900
Religious Schools	$11,300/yr	$7,600/yr	+$3,700
Independent/Prep	$41,900/yr	$22,000/yr	+$19,900
Elementary (K-5)	$16,700/yr	$9,600/yr	+$7,100
Middle School (6-8)	$19,700/yr	$11,800/yr	+$7,900
High School (9-12)	$23,600/yr	$14,600/yr	+$9,000

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Albany

$256,100

New Orleans

$153,400

Choosing New Orleans saves $102,700 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $205,400.

Sample Schools

Albany

Albany Academy (NY)

Independent · PK–12 · $28,400/yr

Vincentian Institute

Catholic · PK–12 · $12,800/yr

New Orleans

Tulane-affiliated University Schools

Independent · PK–12 · $21,400-$23,800/yr

Jesuit High School New Orleans

Catholic · 9–12 · $15,400/yr

Ursuline Academy (New Orleans)

Catholic · 6–12 · $13,200/yr

Brother Martin High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $12,800/yr

Full Albany breakdown → Full New Orleans breakdown →

New York private school costs Louisiana 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.