Is private school cheaper in Boston or Newark?

Newark has lower average private school tuition at $19,300/year vs $36,800/year in Boston. That's $17,500/year less, or $227,500 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Newark is $17,500/year less than Boston. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $227,500 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $18,500/year in Boston, $12,400/year in Newark.

How do Boston and Newark 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). Newark averages $19,300/year ($6,950 above average).

Private School Cost: Boston vs Newark

Newark averages $17,500/year less for private school (91% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $227,500 per child.

Bottom Line

Newark is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $19,300/year vs $36,800/year in Boston. Religious schools run $12,400/year on the low end.

Boston

$36,800

avg tuition/year

$24,450 above national avg

Newark

$19,300

avg tuition/year

$6,950 above national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Boston	Newark	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$36,800/yr	$19,300/yr	+$17,500
Religious Schools	$18,500/yr	$12,400/yr	+$6,100
Independent/Prep	$56,000/yr	$41,200/yr	+$14,800
Elementary (K-5)	$30,000/yr	$16,400/yr	+$13,600
Middle School (6-8)	$36,800/yr	$19,300/yr	+$17,500
High School (9-12)	$46,000/yr	$23,200/yr	+$22,800

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Boston

$478,400

Newark

$250,900

Choosing Newark saves $227,500 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $455,000.

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

Newark

Seton Hall Preparatory School

Catholic · 9–12 · $22,400/yr

Newark Academy

Independent · 6–12 · $38,400/yr

Full Boston breakdown → Full Newark breakdown →

Massachusetts private school costs New Jersey 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.