PrivateSchoolCost

Private School Cost: Allentown vs Boston

Allentown averages $23,800/year less for private school (183% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $309,400 per child.

Bottom Line

Allentown is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $13,000/year vs $36,800/year in Boston. Religious schools run $8,300/year on the low end.

Allentown

PA

$13,000

avg tuition/year

$650 above national avg
Lower cost

Boston

MA

$36,800

avg tuition/year

$24,450 above national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category Allentown Boston Difference
All Schools (Average) $13,000/yr $36,800/yr -$23,800
Religious Schools $8,300/yr $18,500/yr -$10,200
Independent/Prep $30,200/yr $56,000/yr -$25,800
Elementary (K-5) $11,100/yr $30,000/yr -$18,900
Middle School (6-8) $13,000/yr $36,800/yr -$23,800
High School (9-12) $15,600/yr $46,000/yr -$30,400

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Allentown

$169,000

Boston

$478,400

Choosing Allentown saves $309,400 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $618,800.

Sample Schools

Allentown

Lehigh Valley Academy (Allentown)

Independent · K–12 · $10,800-$13,400/yr

Central Catholic High School (Allentown)

Catholic · 9–12 · $14,400/yr

Boston

Boston Latin School (Exam)

Exam School (Public) · 7–12

Roxbury Latin School

Independent (need-based) · 7–12

Belmont Hill School

Independent · 7–12 · $59,800/yr

Boston College High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $23,100/yr

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.