Is private school cheaper in Buffalo or Little Rock?

Little Rock has lower average private school tuition at $6,600/year vs $18,500/year in Buffalo. That's $11,900/year less, or $154,700 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Little Rock is $11,900/year less than Buffalo. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $154,700 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $10,600/year in Buffalo, $5,000/year in Little Rock.

How do Buffalo and Little Rock 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). Little Rock averages $6,600/year ($5,750 below average).

Private School Cost: Buffalo vs Little Rock

Little Rock averages $11,900/year less for private school (180% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $154,700 per child.

Bottom Line

Little Rock is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $6,600/year vs $18,500/year in Buffalo. Religious schools run $5,000/year on the low end.

Buffalo

$18,500

avg tuition/year

$6,150 above national avg

Little Rock

$6,600

avg tuition/year

$5,750 below national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Buffalo	Little Rock	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$18,500/yr	$6,600/yr	+$11,900
Religious Schools	$10,600/yr	$5,000/yr	+$5,600
Independent/Prep	$39,400/yr	$13,100/yr	+$26,300
Elementary (K-5)	$15,700/yr	$5,600/yr	+$10,100
Middle School (6-8)	$18,500/yr	$6,600/yr	+$11,900
High School (9-12)	$22,200/yr	$7,900/yr	+$14,300

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Buffalo

$240,500

Little Rock

$85,800

Choosing Little Rock saves $154,700 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $309,400.

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

Little Rock

Pulaski Academy (Little Rock)

Independent · PK–12 · $11,800/yr

Mount St. Mary Academy

Catholic · 9–12 · $11,200/yr

Full Buffalo breakdown → Full Little Rock breakdown →

New York private school costs Arkansas 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.