Is private school cheaper in Augusta or Salem?

Augusta has lower average private school tuition at $9,900/year vs $12,400/year in Salem. That's $2,500/year less, or $32,500 over a K-12 career.

How much can I save on private school by choosing Augusta over Salem?

Average tuition in Augusta is $2,500/year less than Salem. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $32,500 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $6,900/year in Augusta, $8,400/year in Salem.

How do Augusta and Salem private school costs compare to the national average?

The national average private school tuition is $12,350/year. Augusta averages $9,900/year ($2,450 below average). Salem averages $12,400/year ($50 above average).

Private School Cost: Augusta vs Salem

Augusta averages $2,500/year less for private school (25% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $32,500 per child.

Bottom Line

Augusta is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $9,900/year vs $12,400/year in Salem. Religious schools run $6,900/year on the low end.

Augusta

$9,900

avg tuition/year

$2,450 below national avg

Lower cost

Salem

$12,400

avg tuition/year

$50 above national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Augusta	Salem	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$9,900/yr	$12,400/yr	-$2,500
Religious Schools	$6,900/yr	$8,400/yr	-$1,500
Independent/Prep	$20,100/yr	$25,000/yr	-$4,900
Elementary (K-5)	$8,400/yr	$10,500/yr	-$2,100
Middle School (6-8)	$9,900/yr	$12,400/yr	-$2,500
High School (9-12)	$11,900/yr	$14,900/yr	-$3,000

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Augusta

$128,700

Salem

$161,200

Choosing Augusta saves $32,500 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $65,000.

Sample Schools

Augusta

Augusta Preparatory Day School

Independent · PK–12 · $17,400/yr

Aquinas High School (Augusta)

Catholic · 9–12 · $9,200/yr

Salem

Salem Academy (OR)

Christian · 9–12 · $14,800/yr

Blanchet Catholic School (Salem)

Catholic · 9–12 · $12,400/yr

Full Augusta breakdown → Full Salem breakdown →

Georgia private school costs Oregon 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.