Is private school cheaper in Boston or Lincoln?

Lincoln has lower average private school tuition at $7,200/year vs $36,800/year in Boston. That's $29,600/year less, or $384,800 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Lincoln is $29,600/year less than Boston. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $384,800 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $18,500/year in Boston, $5,000/year in Lincoln.

How do Boston and Lincoln 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). Lincoln averages $7,200/year ($5,150 below average).

Private School Cost: Boston vs Lincoln

Lincoln averages $29,600/year less for private school (411% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $384,800 per child.

Bottom Line

Lincoln is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $7,200/year vs $36,800/year in Boston. Religious schools run $5,000/year on the low end.

Boston

$36,800

avg tuition/year

$24,450 above national avg

Lincoln

$7,200

avg tuition/year

$5,150 below national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Boston	Lincoln	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$36,800/yr	$7,200/yr	+$29,600
Religious Schools	$18,500/yr	$5,000/yr	+$13,500
Independent/Prep	$56,000/yr	$15,600/yr	+$40,400
Elementary (K-5)	$30,000/yr	$6,100/yr	+$23,900
Middle School (6-8)	$36,800/yr	$7,200/yr	+$29,600
High School (9-12)	$46,000/yr	$8,600/yr	+$37,400

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Boston

$478,400

Lincoln

$93,600

Choosing Lincoln saves $384,800 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $769,600.

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

Lincoln

Lincoln Christian High School

Christian · K–12 · $9,600-$11,800/yr

Pius X High School (Lincoln)

Catholic · 9–12 · $8,800/yr

Full Boston breakdown → Full Lincoln breakdown →

Massachusetts private school costs Nebraska private school costs

Related Comparisons

New York vs Boston → Boston vs Phoenix → Boston vs Philadelphia →

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.