Is private school cheaper in Albuquerque or Bellevue?

Albuquerque has lower average private school tuition at $10,200/year vs $18,600/year in Bellevue. That's $8,400/year less, or $109,200 over a K-12 career.

How much can I save on private school by choosing Albuquerque over Bellevue?

Average tuition in Albuquerque is $8,400/year less than Bellevue. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $109,200 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $7,000/year in Albuquerque, $12,700/year in Bellevue.

How do Albuquerque and Bellevue private school costs compare to the national average?

The national average private school tuition is $12,350/year. Albuquerque averages $10,200/year ($2,150 below average). Bellevue averages $18,600/year ($6,250 above average).

Private School Cost: Albuquerque vs Bellevue

Albuquerque averages $8,400/year less for private school (82% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $109,200 per child.

Bottom Line

Albuquerque is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $10,200/year vs $18,600/year in Bellevue. Religious schools run $7,000/year on the low end.

Albuquerque

$10,200

avg tuition/year

$2,150 below national avg

Lower cost

Bellevue

$18,600

avg tuition/year

$6,250 above national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Albuquerque	Bellevue	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$10,200/yr	$18,600/yr	-$8,400
Religious Schools	$7,000/yr	$12,700/yr	-$5,700
Independent/Prep	$19,000/yr	$39,700/yr	-$20,700
Elementary (K-5)	$8,400/yr	$15,800/yr	-$7,400
Middle School (6-8)	$10,200/yr	$18,600/yr	-$8,400
High School (9-12)	$12,500/yr	$22,300/yr	-$9,800

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Albuquerque

$132,600

Bellevue

$241,800

Choosing Albuquerque saves $109,200 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $218,400.

Sample Schools

Albuquerque

Albuquerque Academy

Independent · 6–12 · $20,800-$22,400/yr

Sandia Preparatory School

Independent · 6–12 · $18,400/yr

St. Pius X High School (Albuquerque)

Catholic · 9–12 · $10,800/yr

Bosque School

Independent · 6–12 · $19,800-$21,400/yr

Bellevue

The Overlake School

Independent · 5–12 · $37,800/yr

Bellevue Christian School

Christian · PK–12 · $14,200/yr

Bellarmine Preparatory School (Tacoma)

Catholic · 9–12 · $18,400/yr

Full Albuquerque breakdown → Full Bellevue breakdown →

New Mexico 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.