Is private school cheaper in Boston or Waterbury?

Waterbury has lower average private school tuition at $20,500/year vs $36,800/year in Boston. That's $16,300/year less, or $211,900 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Waterbury is $16,300/year less than Boston. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $211,900 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $18,500/year in Boston, $11,300/year in Waterbury.

How do Boston and Waterbury 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). Waterbury averages $20,500/year ($8,150 above average).

Private School Cost: Boston vs Waterbury

Waterbury averages $16,300/year less for private school (80% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $211,900 per child.

Bottom Line

Waterbury is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $20,500/year vs $36,800/year in Boston. Religious schools run $11,300/year on the low end.

Boston

$36,800

avg tuition/year

$24,450 above national avg

Waterbury

$20,500

avg tuition/year

$8,150 above national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Boston	Waterbury	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$36,800/yr	$20,500/yr	+$16,300
Religious Schools	$18,500/yr	$11,300/yr	+$7,200
Independent/Prep	$56,000/yr	$40,800/yr	+$15,200
Elementary (K-5)	$30,000/yr	$17,400/yr	+$12,600
Middle School (6-8)	$36,800/yr	$20,500/yr	+$16,300
High School (9-12)	$46,000/yr	$24,600/yr	+$21,400

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Boston

$478,400

Waterbury

$266,500

Choosing Waterbury saves $211,900 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $423,800.

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

Waterbury

Holy Cross High School (Waterbury)

Catholic · 9–12 · $14,800/yr

Crosby High School (Waterbury)

Independent · 9–12 · $9,800/yr

Full Boston breakdown → Full Waterbury breakdown →

Massachusetts private school costs Connecticut 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.