Is private school cheaper in Atlanta or Buffalo?

Atlanta has lower average private school tuition at $15,200/year vs $18,500/year in Buffalo. That's $3,300/year less, or $42,900 over a K-12 career.

How much can I save on private school by choosing Atlanta over Buffalo?

Average tuition in Atlanta is $3,300/year less than Buffalo. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $42,900 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $9,400/year in Atlanta, $10,600/year in Buffalo.

How do Atlanta and Buffalo private school costs compare to the national average?

The national average private school tuition is $12,350/year. Atlanta averages $15,200/year ($2,850 above average). Buffalo averages $18,500/year ($6,150 above average).

Private School Cost: Atlanta vs Buffalo

Atlanta averages $3,300/year less for private school (22% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $42,900 per child.

Bottom Line

Atlanta is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $15,200/year vs $18,500/year in Buffalo. Religious schools run $9,400/year on the low end.

Atlanta

$15,200

avg tuition/year

$2,850 above national avg

Lower cost

Buffalo

$18,500

avg tuition/year

$6,150 above national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Atlanta	Buffalo	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$15,200/yr	$18,500/yr	-$3,300
Religious Schools	$9,400/yr	$10,600/yr	-$1,200
Independent/Prep	$28,500/yr	$39,400/yr	-$10,900
Elementary (K-5)	$12,500/yr	$15,700/yr	-$3,200
Middle School (6-8)	$15,200/yr	$18,500/yr	-$3,300
High School (9-12)	$18,800/yr	$22,200/yr	-$3,400

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Atlanta

$197,600

Buffalo

$240,500

Choosing Atlanta saves $42,900 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $85,800.

Sample Schools

Atlanta

The Westminster Schools

Independent · 1–12 · $35,800-$38,400/yr

Pace Academy

Independent · K–12 · $34,200/yr

Lovett School

Independent · K–12 · $33,600/yr

Marist School Atlanta

Catholic · 7–12 · $19,400/yr

Buffalo

Canisius High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $16,200/yr

Buffalo Seminary

Independent · 7–12 · $22,400/yr

Nardin Academy

Catholic · PK–12 · $16,800/yr

Full Atlanta breakdown → Full Buffalo breakdown →

Georgia private school costs New York private school costs

Related Comparisons

Atlanta vs Charlotte → Nashville vs Atlanta → Washington DC vs Atlanta →

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.