Is private school cheaper in Albany or Tacoma?

Tacoma has lower average private school tuition at $13,700/year vs $19,700/year in Albany. That's $6,000/year less, or $78,000 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Tacoma is $6,000/year less than Albany. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $78,000 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $11,300/year in Albany, $9,400/year in Tacoma.

How do Albany and Tacoma 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). Tacoma averages $13,700/year ($1,350 above average).

Private School Cost: Albany vs Tacoma

Tacoma averages $6,000/year less for private school (44% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $78,000 per child.

Bottom Line

Tacoma is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $13,700/year vs $19,700/year in Albany. Religious schools run $9,400/year on the low end.

Albany

$19,700

avg tuition/year

$7,350 above national avg

Tacoma

$13,700

avg tuition/year

$1,350 above national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Albany	Tacoma	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$19,700/yr	$13,700/yr	+$6,000
Religious Schools	$11,300/yr	$9,400/yr	+$1,900
Independent/Prep	$41,900/yr	$29,400/yr	+$12,500
Elementary (K-5)	$16,700/yr	$11,600/yr	+$5,100
Middle School (6-8)	$19,700/yr	$13,700/yr	+$6,000
High School (9-12)	$23,600/yr	$16,400/yr	+$7,200

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Albany

$256,100

Tacoma

$178,100

Choosing Tacoma saves $78,000 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $156,000.

Sample Schools

Albany

Albany Academy (NY)

Independent · PK–12 · $28,400/yr

Vincentian Institute

Catholic · PK–12 · $12,800/yr

Tacoma

Charles Wright Academy

Independent · PK–12 · $28,400/yr

Bellarmine Preparatory School

Catholic · 9–12 · $18,400/yr

Full Albany breakdown → Full Tacoma breakdown →

New York private school costs Washington 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.