Is private school cheaper in Boston or Providence?

Providence has lower average private school tuition at $22,000/year vs $36,800/year in Boston. That's $14,800/year less, or $192,400 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Providence is $14,800/year less than Boston. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $192,400 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $18,500/year in Boston, $12,400/year in Providence.

How do Boston and Providence 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). Providence averages $22,000/year ($9,650 above average).

Private School Cost: Boston vs Providence

Providence averages $14,800/year less for private school (67% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $192,400 per child.

Bottom Line

Providence is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $22,000/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

Providence

$22,000

avg tuition/year

$9,650 above national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Boston	Providence	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$36,800/yr	$22,000/yr	+$14,800
Religious Schools	$18,500/yr	$12,400/yr	+$6,100
Independent/Prep	$56,000/yr	$36,000/yr	+$20,000
Elementary (K-5)	$30,000/yr	$18,000/yr	+$12,000
Middle School (6-8)	$36,800/yr	$22,000/yr	+$14,800
High School (9-12)	$46,000/yr	$27,500/yr	+$18,500

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Boston

$478,400

Providence

$286,000

Choosing Providence saves $192,400 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $384,800.

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

Providence

Moses Brown School

Independent (Quaker) · PK–12 · $40,800-$43,200/yr

Wheeler School

Independent · PK–12 · $38,200-$40,800/yr

Providence Country Day School

Independent · 6–12 · $34,800/yr

La Salle Academy (Providence)

Catholic · 9–12 · $14,200/yr

Full Boston breakdown → Full Providence breakdown →

Massachusetts private school costs Rhode Island 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.