Is private school cheaper in Allentown or Lowell?

Allentown has lower average private school tuition at $13,000/year vs $23,600/year in Lowell. That's $10,600/year less, or $137,800 over a K-12 career.

How much can I save on private school by choosing Allentown over Lowell?

Average tuition in Allentown is $10,600/year less than Lowell. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $137,800 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $8,300/year in Allentown, $12,800/year in Lowell.

How do Allentown and Lowell private school costs compare to the national average?

The national average private school tuition is $12,350/year. Allentown averages $13,000/year ($650 above average). Lowell averages $23,600/year ($11,250 above average).

Private School Cost: Allentown vs Lowell

Allentown averages $10,600/year less for private school (82% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $137,800 per child.

Bottom Line

Allentown is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $13,000/year vs $23,600/year in Lowell. Religious schools run $8,300/year on the low end.

Allentown

$13,000

avg tuition/year

$650 above national avg

Lower cost

Lowell

$23,600

avg tuition/year

$11,250 above national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Allentown	Lowell	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$13,000/yr	$23,600/yr	-$10,600
Religious Schools	$8,300/yr	$12,800/yr	-$4,500
Independent/Prep	$30,200/yr	$48,100/yr	-$17,900
Elementary (K-5)	$11,100/yr	$20,100/yr	-$9,000
Middle School (6-8)	$13,000/yr	$23,600/yr	-$10,600
High School (9-12)	$15,600/yr	$28,300/yr	-$12,700

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Allentown

$169,000

Lowell

$306,800

Choosing Allentown saves $137,800 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $275,600.

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

Lowell

Lowell Catholic High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $12,400/yr

St. Michael Academy (Lowell)

Catholic · K–8 · $10,800-$12,800/yr

Full Allentown breakdown → Full Lowell breakdown →

Pennsylvania private school costs Massachusetts 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.