Is private school cheaper in Boston or New Orleans?

New Orleans has lower average private school tuition at $11,800/year vs $36,800/year in Boston. That's $25,000/year less, or $325,000 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in New Orleans is $25,000/year less than Boston. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $325,000 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $18,500/year in Boston, $7,600/year in New Orleans.

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

Private School Cost: Boston vs New Orleans

New Orleans averages $25,000/year less for private school (212% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $325,000 per child.

Bottom Line

New Orleans is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $11,800/year vs $36,800/year in Boston. Religious schools run $7,600/year on the low end.

Boston

$36,800

avg tuition/year

$24,450 above national avg

New Orleans

$11,800

avg tuition/year

$550 below national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Boston	New Orleans	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$36,800/yr	$11,800/yr	+$25,000
Religious Schools	$18,500/yr	$7,600/yr	+$10,900
Independent/Prep	$56,000/yr	$22,000/yr	+$34,000
Elementary (K-5)	$30,000/yr	$9,600/yr	+$20,400
Middle School (6-8)	$36,800/yr	$11,800/yr	+$25,000
High School (9-12)	$46,000/yr	$14,600/yr	+$31,400

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Boston

$478,400

New Orleans

$153,400

Choosing New Orleans saves $325,000 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $650,000.

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

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 Boston breakdown → Full New Orleans breakdown →

Massachusetts private school costs Louisiana 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.