Is private school cheaper in Albuquerque or Cleveland?

Albuquerque has lower average private school tuition at $10,200/year vs $11,200/year in Cleveland. That's $1,000/year less, or $13,000 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Albuquerque is $1,000/year less than Cleveland. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $13,000 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $7,000/year in Albuquerque, $7,400/year in Cleveland.

How do Albuquerque and Cleveland 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). Cleveland averages $11,200/year ($1,150 below average).

Private School Cost: Albuquerque vs Cleveland

Albuquerque averages $1,000/year less for private school (10% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $13,000 per child.

Bottom Line

Albuquerque is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $10,200/year vs $11,200/year in Cleveland. Religious schools run $7,000/year on the low end.

Albuquerque

$10,200

avg tuition/year

$2,150 below national avg

Lower cost

Cleveland

$11,200

avg tuition/year

$1,150 below national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Albuquerque	Cleveland	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$10,200/yr	$11,200/yr	-$1,000
Religious Schools	$7,000/yr	$7,400/yr	-$400
Independent/Prep	$19,000/yr	$21,000/yr	-$2,000
Elementary (K-5)	$8,400/yr	$9,200/yr	-$800
Middle School (6-8)	$10,200/yr	$11,200/yr	-$1,000
High School (9-12)	$12,500/yr	$13,800/yr	-$1,300

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Albuquerque

$132,600

Cleveland

$145,600

Choosing Albuquerque saves $13,000 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $26,000.

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

Cleveland

University School (Cleveland)

Independent · JK–12 · $26,400-$28,800/yr

Laurel School (Cleveland)

Independent · PK–12 · $24,800-$27,200/yr

St. Ignatius High School (Cleveland)

Catholic · 9–12 · $13,800/yr

St. Edward High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $13,200/yr

Full Albuquerque breakdown → Full Cleveland breakdown →

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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.