Is private school cheaper in Bridgeport or Manchester?

Manchester has lower average private school tuition at $18,200/year vs $23,100/year in Bridgeport. That's $4,900/year less, or $63,700 over a K-12 career.

How much can I save on private school by choosing Manchester over Bridgeport?

Average tuition in Manchester is $4,900/year less than Bridgeport. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $63,700 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $12,700/year in Bridgeport, $10,400/year in Manchester.

How do Bridgeport and Manchester private school costs compare to the national average?

The national average private school tuition is $12,350/year. Bridgeport averages $23,100/year ($10,750 above average). Manchester averages $18,200/year ($5,850 above average).

Private School Cost: Bridgeport vs Manchester

Manchester averages $4,900/year less for private school (27% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $63,700 per child.

Bottom Line

Manchester is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $18,200/year vs $23,100/year in Bridgeport. Religious schools run $10,400/year on the low end.

Bridgeport

$23,100

avg tuition/year

$10,750 above national avg

Manchester

$18,200

avg tuition/year

$5,850 above national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Bridgeport	Manchester	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$23,100/yr	$18,200/yr	+$4,900
Religious Schools	$12,700/yr	$10,400/yr	+$2,300
Independent/Prep	$45,900/yr	$39,300/yr	+$6,600
Elementary (K-5)	$19,600/yr	$15,500/yr	+$4,100
Middle School (6-8)	$23,100/yr	$18,200/yr	+$4,900
High School (9-12)	$27,700/yr	$21,800/yr	+$5,900

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Bridgeport

$300,300

Manchester

$236,600

Choosing Manchester saves $63,700 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $127,400.

Sample Schools

Bridgeport

Fairfield Prep

Catholic · 9–12 · $22,800/yr

Academy of Our Lady of Mercy

Catholic · PK–12 · $14,800/yr

Manchester

Manchester Central Catholic High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $12,400/yr

Derryfield School (Manchester NH)

Independent · 6–12 · $27,400/yr

Full Bridgeport breakdown → Full Manchester breakdown →

Connecticut private school costs New Hampshire private school costs

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.