Is private school cheaper in Boston or Lakeland?

Lakeland has lower average private school tuition at $9,600/year vs $36,800/year in Boston. That's $27,200/year less, or $353,600 over a K-12 career.

How much can I save on private school by choosing Lakeland over Boston?

Average tuition in Lakeland is $27,200/year less than Boston. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $353,600 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $18,500/year in Boston, $6,600/year in Lakeland.

How do Boston and Lakeland private school costs compare to the national average?

The national average private school tuition is $12,350/year. Boston averages $36,800/year ($24,450 above average). Lakeland averages $9,600/year ($2,750 below average).

Private School Cost: Boston vs Lakeland

Lakeland averages $27,200/year less for private school (283% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $353,600 per child.

Bottom Line

Lakeland is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $9,600/year vs $36,800/year in Boston. Religious schools run $6,600/year on the low end.

Boston

$36,800

avg tuition/year

$24,450 above national avg

Lakeland

$9,600

avg tuition/year

$2,750 below national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Boston	Lakeland	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$36,800/yr	$9,600/yr	+$27,200
Religious Schools	$18,500/yr	$6,600/yr	+$11,900
Independent/Prep	$56,000/yr	$19,800/yr	+$36,200
Elementary (K-5)	$30,000/yr	$8,200/yr	+$21,800
Middle School (6-8)	$36,800/yr	$9,600/yr	+$27,200
High School (9-12)	$46,000/yr	$11,500/yr	+$34,500

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Boston

$478,400

Lakeland

$124,800

Choosing Lakeland saves $353,600 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $707,200.

Sample Schools

Boston

Boston Latin School (Exam)

Exam School (Public) · 7–12

Roxbury Latin School

Independent (need-based) · 7–12

Belmont Hill School

Independent · 7–12 · $59,800/yr

Boston College High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $23,100/yr

Lakeland

All Saints Academy (Lakeland)

Catholic · PK–12 · $13,800/yr

Victory Christian School (Lakeland)

Christian · K–12 · $9,400-$11,800/yr

Full Boston breakdown → Full Lakeland breakdown →

Massachusetts private school costs Florida private school costs

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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.