Is private school cheaper in Bellevue or New Orleans?

New Orleans has lower average private school tuition at $11,800/year vs $18,600/year in Bellevue. That's $6,800/year less, or $88,400 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in New Orleans is $6,800/year less than Bellevue. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $88,400 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $12,700/year in Bellevue, $7,600/year in New Orleans.

How do Bellevue and New Orleans 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). New Orleans averages $11,800/year ($550 below average).

Private School Cost: Bellevue vs New Orleans

New Orleans averages $6,800/year less for private school (58% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $88,400 per child.

Bottom Line

New Orleans is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $11,800/year vs $18,600/year in Bellevue. Religious schools run $7,600/year on the low end.

Bellevue

$18,600

avg tuition/year

$6,250 above national avg

New Orleans

$11,800

avg tuition/year

$550 below national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Bellevue	New Orleans	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$18,600/yr	$11,800/yr	+$6,800
Religious Schools	$12,700/yr	$7,600/yr	+$5,100
Independent/Prep	$39,700/yr	$22,000/yr	+$17,700
Elementary (K-5)	$15,800/yr	$9,600/yr	+$6,200
Middle School (6-8)	$18,600/yr	$11,800/yr	+$6,800
High School (9-12)	$22,300/yr	$14,600/yr	+$7,700

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Bellevue

$241,800

New Orleans

$153,400

Choosing New Orleans saves $88,400 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $176,800.

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

New Orleans

Tulane-affiliated University Schools

Independent · PK–12 · $21,400-$23,800/yr

Jesuit High School New Orleans

Catholic · 9–12 · $15,400/yr

Ursuline Academy (New Orleans)

Catholic · 6–12 · $13,200/yr

Brother Martin High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $12,800/yr

Full Bellevue breakdown → Full New Orleans breakdown →

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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.