Is private school cheaper in Boston or Provo?

Provo has lower average private school tuition at $8,500/year vs $36,800/year in Boston. That's $28,300/year less, or $367,900 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Provo is $28,300/year less than Boston. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $367,900 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $18,500/year in Boston, $5,900/year in Provo.

How do Boston and Provo 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). Provo averages $8,500/year ($3,850 below average).

Private School Cost: Boston vs Provo

Provo averages $28,300/year less for private school (333% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $367,900 per child.

Bottom Line

Provo is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $8,500/year vs $36,800/year in Boston. Religious schools run $5,900/year on the low end.

Boston

$36,800

avg tuition/year

$24,450 above national avg

Provo

$8,500

avg tuition/year

$3,850 below national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Boston	Provo	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$36,800/yr	$8,500/yr	+$28,300
Religious Schools	$18,500/yr	$5,900/yr	+$12,600
Independent/Prep	$56,000/yr	$16,900/yr	+$39,100
Elementary (K-5)	$30,000/yr	$7,200/yr	+$22,800
Middle School (6-8)	$36,800/yr	$8,500/yr	+$28,300
High School (9-12)	$46,000/yr	$10,200/yr	+$35,800

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Boston

$478,400

Provo

$110,500

Choosing Provo saves $367,900 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $735,800.

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

Provo

Provo Peaks Elementary (Private)

Independent · K–6 · $7,800-$9,800/yr

Mountain View Academy (Provo)

Independent · K–12 · $8,800-$10,800/yr

Full Boston breakdown → Full Provo breakdown →

Massachusetts private school costs Utah 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.