Is private school cheaper in Albany or Syracuse?

Syracuse has lower average private school tuition at $18,500/year vs $19,700/year in Albany. That's $1,200/year less, or $15,600 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Syracuse is $1,200/year less than Albany. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $15,600 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $11,300/year in Albany, $10,600/year in Syracuse.

How do Albany and Syracuse 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). Syracuse averages $18,500/year ($6,150 above average).

Private School Cost: Albany vs Syracuse

Syracuse averages $1,200/year less for private school (6% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $15,600 per child.

Bottom Line

Syracuse is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $18,500/year vs $19,700/year in Albany. Religious schools run $10,600/year on the low end.

Albany

$19,700

avg tuition/year

$7,350 above national avg

Syracuse

$18,500

avg tuition/year

$6,150 above national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Albany	Syracuse	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$19,700/yr	$18,500/yr	+$1,200
Religious Schools	$11,300/yr	$10,600/yr	+$700
Independent/Prep	$41,900/yr	$39,400/yr	+$2,500
Elementary (K-5)	$16,700/yr	$15,700/yr	+$1,000
Middle School (6-8)	$19,700/yr	$18,500/yr	+$1,200
High School (9-12)	$23,600/yr	$22,200/yr	+$1,400

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Albany

$256,100

Syracuse

$240,500

Choosing Syracuse saves $15,600 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $31,200.

Sample Schools

Albany

Albany Academy (NY)

Independent · PK–12 · $28,400/yr

Vincentian Institute

Catholic · PK–12 · $12,800/yr

Syracuse

Christian Brothers Academy (Syracuse)

Catholic · 7–12 · $16,200/yr

Bishop Grimes Jr/Sr High School

Catholic · 7–12 · $12,400/yr

Full Albany breakdown → Full Syracuse breakdown →

New York 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.