Is private school cheaper in Albuquerque or Seattle?

Albuquerque has lower average private school tuition at $10,200/year vs $24,500/year in Seattle. That's $14,300/year less, or $185,900 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Albuquerque is $14,300/year less than Seattle. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $185,900 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $7,000/year in Albuquerque, $13,200/year in Seattle.

How do Albuquerque and Seattle 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). Seattle averages $24,500/year ($12,150 above average).

Private School Cost: Albuquerque vs Seattle

Albuquerque averages $14,300/year less for private school (140% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $185,900 per child.

Bottom Line

Albuquerque is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $10,200/year vs $24,500/year in Seattle. Religious schools run $7,000/year on the low end.

Albuquerque

$10,200

avg tuition/year

$2,150 below national avg

Lower cost

Seattle

$24,500

avg tuition/year

$12,150 above national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Albuquerque	Seattle	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$10,200/yr	$24,500/yr	-$14,300
Religious Schools	$7,000/yr	$13,200/yr	-$6,200
Independent/Prep	$19,000/yr	$38,000/yr	-$19,000
Elementary (K-5)	$8,400/yr	$20,000/yr	-$11,600
Middle School (6-8)	$10,200/yr	$24,500/yr	-$14,300
High School (9-12)	$12,500/yr	$30,500/yr	-$18,000

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Albuquerque

$132,600

Seattle

$318,500

Choosing Albuquerque saves $185,900 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $371,800.

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

Seattle

University Prep

Independent · 6–12 · $42,800/yr

Northwest School

Independent · 6–12 · $39,400/yr

Seattle Prep

Catholic · 9–12 · $21,200/yr

O'Dea High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $17,800/yr

Full Albuquerque breakdown → Full Seattle breakdown →

New Mexico private school costs Washington private school costs

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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.