Is private school cheaper in Buffalo or Lowell?

Buffalo has lower average private school tuition at $18,500/year vs $23,600/year in Lowell. That's $5,100/year less, or $66,300 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Buffalo is $5,100/year less than Lowell. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $66,300 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $10,600/year in Buffalo, $12,800/year in Lowell.

How do Buffalo and Lowell 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). Lowell averages $23,600/year ($11,250 above average).

Private School Cost: Buffalo vs Lowell

Buffalo averages $5,100/year less for private school (28% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $66,300 per child.

Bottom Line

Buffalo is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $18,500/year vs $23,600/year in Lowell. Religious schools run $10,600/year on the low end.

Buffalo

$18,500

avg tuition/year

$6,150 above national avg

Lower cost

Lowell

$23,600

avg tuition/year

$11,250 above national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Buffalo	Lowell	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$18,500/yr	$23,600/yr	-$5,100
Religious Schools	$10,600/yr	$12,800/yr	-$2,200
Independent/Prep	$39,400/yr	$48,100/yr	-$8,700
Elementary (K-5)	$15,700/yr	$20,100/yr	-$4,400
Middle School (6-8)	$18,500/yr	$23,600/yr	-$5,100
High School (9-12)	$22,200/yr	$28,300/yr	-$6,100

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Buffalo

$240,500

Lowell

$306,800

Choosing Buffalo saves $66,300 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $132,600.

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

Lowell

Lowell Catholic High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $12,400/yr

St. Michael Academy (Lowell)

Catholic · K–8 · $10,800-$12,800/yr

Full Buffalo breakdown → Full Lowell breakdown →

New York private school costs Massachusetts 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.