Is private school cheaper in Boston or Paterson?

Paterson has lower average private school tuition at $18,100/year vs $36,800/year in Boston. That's $18,700/year less, or $243,100 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Paterson is $18,700/year less than Boston. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $243,100 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $18,500/year in Boston, $11,700/year in Paterson.

How do Boston and Paterson 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). Paterson averages $18,100/year ($5,750 above average).

Private School Cost: Boston vs Paterson

Paterson averages $18,700/year less for private school (103% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $243,100 per child.

Bottom Line

Paterson is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $18,100/year vs $36,800/year in Boston. Religious schools run $11,700/year on the low end.

Boston

$36,800

avg tuition/year

$24,450 above national avg

Paterson

$18,100

avg tuition/year

$5,750 above national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Boston	Paterson	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$36,800/yr	$18,100/yr	+$18,700
Religious Schools	$18,500/yr	$11,700/yr	+$6,800
Independent/Prep	$56,000/yr	$38,700/yr	+$17,300
Elementary (K-5)	$30,000/yr	$15,400/yr	+$14,600
Middle School (6-8)	$36,800/yr	$18,100/yr	+$18,700
High School (9-12)	$46,000/yr	$21,700/yr	+$24,300

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Boston

$478,400

Paterson

$235,300

Choosing Paterson saves $243,100 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $486,200.

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

Paterson

Paramus Catholic High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $15,800/yr

St. Philip the Apostle School

Catholic · K–8 · $10,200-$12,400/yr

Full Boston breakdown → Full Paterson 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.