Is private school cheaper in Bellevue or Lowell?

Bellevue has lower average private school tuition at $18,600/year vs $23,600/year in Lowell. That's $5,000/year less, or $65,000 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Bellevue is $5,000/year less than Lowell. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $65,000 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $12,700/year in Bellevue, $12,800/year in Lowell.

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

The national average private school tuition is $12,350/year. Bellevue averages $18,600/year ($6,250 above average). Lowell averages $23,600/year ($11,250 above average).

Private School Cost: Bellevue vs Lowell

Bellevue averages $5,000/year less for private school (27% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $65,000 per child.

Bottom Line

Bellevue is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $18,600/year vs $23,600/year in Lowell. Religious schools run $12,700/year on the low end.

Bellevue

$18,600

avg tuition/year

$6,250 above national avg

Lower cost

Lowell

$23,600

avg tuition/year

$11,250 above national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Bellevue	Lowell	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$18,600/yr	$23,600/yr	-$5,000
Religious Schools	$12,700/yr	$12,800/yr	-$100
Independent/Prep	$39,700/yr	$48,100/yr	-$8,400
Elementary (K-5)	$15,800/yr	$20,100/yr	-$4,300
Middle School (6-8)	$18,600/yr	$23,600/yr	-$5,000
High School (9-12)	$22,300/yr	$28,300/yr	-$6,000

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Bellevue

$241,800

Lowell

$306,800

Choosing Bellevue saves $65,000 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $130,000.

Sample Schools

Bellevue

The Overlake School

Independent · 5–12 · $37,800/yr

Bellevue Christian School

Christian · PK–12 · $14,200/yr

Bellarmine Preparatory School (Tacoma)

Catholic · 9–12 · $18,400/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 Bellevue breakdown → Full Lowell breakdown →

Washington 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.