Is private school cheaper in Bellevue or Rochester?

Rochester has lower average private school tuition at $18,100/year vs $18,600/year in Bellevue. That's $500/year less, or $6,500 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Rochester is $500/year less than Bellevue. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $6,500 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $12,700/year in Bellevue, $10,400/year in Rochester.

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

Private School Cost: Bellevue vs Rochester

Rochester averages $500/year less for private school (3% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $6,500 per child.

Bottom Line

Rochester is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $18,100/year vs $18,600/year in Bellevue. Religious schools run $10,400/year on the low end.

Bellevue

$18,600

avg tuition/year

$6,250 above national avg

Rochester

$18,100

avg tuition/year

$5,750 above national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Bellevue	Rochester	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$18,600/yr	$18,100/yr	+$500
Religious Schools	$12,700/yr	$10,400/yr	+$2,300
Independent/Prep	$39,700/yr	$38,500/yr	+$1,200
Elementary (K-5)	$15,800/yr	$15,400/yr	+$400
Middle School (6-8)	$18,600/yr	$18,100/yr	+$500
High School (9-12)	$22,300/yr	$21,700/yr	+$600

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Bellevue

$241,800

Rochester

$235,300

Choosing Rochester saves $6,500 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $13,000.

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

Rochester

McQuaid Jesuit High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $16,800/yr

Allendale Columbia School

Independent · PK–12 · $22,400/yr

Full Bellevue breakdown → Full Rochester breakdown →

Washington 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.