Is private school cheaper in Baltimore or Rochester?

Rochester has lower average private school tuition at $18,100/year vs $18,500/year in Baltimore. That's $400/year less, or $5,200 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Rochester is $400/year less than Baltimore. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $5,200 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $10,800/year in Baltimore, $10,400/year in Rochester.

How do Baltimore and Rochester 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). Rochester averages $18,100/year ($5,750 above average).

Private School Cost: Baltimore vs Rochester

Rochester averages $400/year less for private school (2% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $5,200 per child.

Bottom Line

Rochester is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $18,100/year vs $18,500/year in Baltimore. Religious schools run $10,400/year on the low end.

Baltimore

$18,500

avg tuition/year

$6,150 above national avg

Rochester

$18,100

avg tuition/year

$5,750 above national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Baltimore	Rochester	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$18,500/yr	$18,100/yr	+$400
Religious Schools	$10,800/yr	$10,400/yr	+$400
Independent/Prep	$34,000/yr	$38,500/yr	-$4,500
Elementary (K-5)	$15,200/yr	$15,400/yr	-$200
Middle School (6-8)	$18,500/yr	$18,100/yr	+$400
High School (9-12)	$23,000/yr	$21,700/yr	+$1,300

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Baltimore

$240,500

Rochester

$235,300

Choosing Rochester saves $5,200 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $10,400.

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

Rochester

McQuaid Jesuit High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $16,800/yr

Allendale Columbia School

Independent · PK–12 · $22,400/yr

Full Baltimore breakdown → Full Rochester breakdown →

Maryland private school costs New York 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.