Is private school cheaper in Baltimore or Cambridge?

Baltimore has lower average private school tuition at $18,500/year vs $32,000/year in Cambridge. That's $13,500/year less, or $175,500 over a K-12 career.

How much can I save on private school by choosing Baltimore over Cambridge?

Average tuition in Baltimore is $13,500/year less than Cambridge. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $175,500 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $10,800/year in Baltimore, $17,300/year in Cambridge.

How do Baltimore and Cambridge private school costs compare to the national average?

The national average private school tuition is $12,350/year. Baltimore averages $18,500/year ($6,150 above average). Cambridge averages $32,000/year ($19,650 above average).

Private School Cost: Baltimore vs Cambridge

Baltimore averages $13,500/year less for private school (73% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $175,500 per child.

Bottom Line

Baltimore is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $18,500/year vs $32,000/year in Cambridge. Religious schools run $10,800/year on the low end.

Baltimore

$18,500

avg tuition/year

$6,150 above national avg

Lower cost

Cambridge

$32,000

avg tuition/year

$19,650 above national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Baltimore	Cambridge	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$18,500/yr	$32,000/yr	-$13,500
Religious Schools	$10,800/yr	$17,300/yr	-$6,500
Independent/Prep	$34,000/yr	$65,000/yr	-$31,000
Elementary (K-5)	$15,200/yr	$27,200/yr	-$12,000
Middle School (6-8)	$18,500/yr	$32,000/yr	-$13,500
High School (9-12)	$23,000/yr	$38,400/yr	-$15,400

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Baltimore

$240,500

Cambridge

$416,000

Choosing Baltimore saves $175,500 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $351,000.

Sample Schools

Baltimore

Gilman School

Independent · K–12 · $38,200-$40,800/yr

Roland Park Country School

Independent · K–12 · $36,800/yr

Calvert Hall College High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $19,400/yr

Loyola Blakefield

Catholic · 6–12 · $24,800/yr

Cambridge

Cambridge School of Weston

Independent · 9–12 · $59,400/yr

Buckingham Browne & Nichols School

Independent · PK–12 · $58,800/yr

Full Baltimore breakdown → Full Cambridge breakdown →

Maryland 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.