Is private school cheaper in Bellevue or Waterbury?

Bellevue has lower average private school tuition at $18,600/year vs $20,500/year in Waterbury. That's $1,900/year less, or $24,700 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Bellevue is $1,900/year less than Waterbury. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $24,700 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $12,700/year in Bellevue, $11,300/year in Waterbury.

How do Bellevue and Waterbury 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). Waterbury averages $20,500/year ($8,150 above average).

Private School Cost: Bellevue vs Waterbury

Bellevue averages $1,900/year less for private school (10% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $24,700 per child.

Bottom Line

Bellevue is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $18,600/year vs $20,500/year in Waterbury. Religious schools run $11,300/year on the low end.

Bellevue

$18,600

avg tuition/year

$6,250 above national avg

Lower cost

Waterbury

$20,500

avg tuition/year

$8,150 above national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Bellevue	Waterbury	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$18,600/yr	$20,500/yr	-$1,900
Religious Schools	$12,700/yr	$11,300/yr	+$1,400
Independent/Prep	$39,700/yr	$40,800/yr	-$1,100
Elementary (K-5)	$15,800/yr	$17,400/yr	-$1,600
Middle School (6-8)	$18,600/yr	$20,500/yr	-$1,900
High School (9-12)	$22,300/yr	$24,600/yr	-$2,300

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Bellevue

$241,800

Waterbury

$266,500

Choosing Bellevue saves $24,700 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $49,400.

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

Waterbury

Holy Cross High School (Waterbury)

Catholic · 9–12 · $14,800/yr

Crosby High School (Waterbury)

Independent · 9–12 · $9,800/yr

Full Bellevue breakdown → Full Waterbury breakdown →

Washington private school costs Connecticut 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.