Is private school cheaper in Buffalo or Burlington?

Burlington has lower average private school tuition at $18,200/year vs $18,500/year in Buffalo. That's $300/year less, or $3,900 over a K-12 career.

How much can I save on private school by choosing Burlington over Buffalo?

Average tuition in Burlington is $300/year less than Buffalo. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $3,900 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $10,600/year in Buffalo, $11,000/year in Burlington.

How do Buffalo and Burlington private school costs compare to the national average?

The national average private school tuition is $12,350/year. Buffalo averages $18,500/year ($6,150 above average). Burlington averages $18,200/year ($5,850 above average).

Private School Cost: Buffalo vs Burlington

Burlington averages $300/year less for private school (2% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $3,900 per child.

Bottom Line

Burlington is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $18,200/year vs $18,500/year in Buffalo. Religious schools run $10,600/year on the low end.

Buffalo

$18,500

avg tuition/year

$6,150 above national avg

Burlington

$18,200

avg tuition/year

$5,850 above national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Buffalo	Burlington	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$18,500/yr	$18,200/yr	+$300
Religious Schools	$10,600/yr	$11,000/yr	-$400
Independent/Prep	$39,400/yr	$39,800/yr	-$400
Elementary (K-5)	$15,700/yr	$15,500/yr	+$200
Middle School (6-8)	$18,500/yr	$18,200/yr	+$300
High School (9-12)	$22,200/yr	$21,800/yr	+$400

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Buffalo

$240,500

Burlington

$236,600

Choosing Burlington saves $3,900 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $7,800.

Sample Schools

Buffalo

Canisius High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $16,200/yr

Buffalo Seminary

Independent · 7–12 · $22,400/yr

Nardin Academy

Catholic · PK–12 · $16,800/yr

Burlington

Rice Memorial High School (Burlington VT)

Catholic · 9–12 · $13,200/yr

Champlain Valley Christian School

Christian · K–12 · $9,400-$11,800/yr

Full Buffalo breakdown → Full Burlington breakdown →

New York private school costs Vermont 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.