Is private school cheaper in Albany or Paterson?

Paterson has lower average private school tuition at $18,100/year vs $19,700/year in Albany. That's $1,600/year less, or $20,800 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Paterson is $1,600/year less than Albany. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $20,800 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $11,300/year in Albany, $11,700/year in Paterson.

How do Albany and Paterson 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). Paterson averages $18,100/year ($5,750 above average).

Private School Cost: Albany vs Paterson

Paterson averages $1,600/year less for private school (9% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $20,800 per child.

Bottom Line

Paterson is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $18,100/year vs $19,700/year in Albany. Religious schools run $11,300/year on the low end.

Albany

$19,700

avg tuition/year

$7,350 above national avg

Paterson

$18,100

avg tuition/year

$5,750 above national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Albany	Paterson	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$19,700/yr	$18,100/yr	+$1,600
Religious Schools	$11,300/yr	$11,700/yr	-$400
Independent/Prep	$41,900/yr	$38,700/yr	+$3,200
Elementary (K-5)	$16,700/yr	$15,400/yr	+$1,300
Middle School (6-8)	$19,700/yr	$18,100/yr	+$1,600
High School (9-12)	$23,600/yr	$21,700/yr	+$1,900

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Albany

$256,100

Paterson

$235,300

Choosing Paterson saves $20,800 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $41,600.

Sample Schools

Albany

Albany Academy (NY)

Independent · PK–12 · $28,400/yr

Vincentian Institute

Catholic · PK–12 · $12,800/yr

Paterson

Paramus Catholic High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $15,800/yr

St. Philip the Apostle School

Catholic · K–8 · $10,200-$12,400/yr

Full Albany breakdown → Full Paterson breakdown →

New York private school costs New Jersey 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.