Is private school cheaper in Buffalo or Providence?

Buffalo has lower average private school tuition at $18,500/year vs $22,000/year in Providence. That's $3,500/year less, or $45,500 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Buffalo is $3,500/year less than Providence. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $45,500 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $10,600/year in Buffalo, $12,400/year in Providence.

How do Buffalo and Providence 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). Providence averages $22,000/year ($9,650 above average).

Private School Cost: Buffalo vs Providence

Buffalo averages $3,500/year less for private school (19% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $45,500 per child.

Bottom Line

Buffalo is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $18,500/year vs $22,000/year in Providence. Religious schools run $10,600/year on the low end.

Buffalo

$18,500

avg tuition/year

$6,150 above national avg

Lower cost

Providence

$22,000

avg tuition/year

$9,650 above national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Buffalo	Providence	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$18,500/yr	$22,000/yr	-$3,500
Religious Schools	$10,600/yr	$12,400/yr	-$1,800
Independent/Prep	$39,400/yr	$36,000/yr	+$3,400
Elementary (K-5)	$15,700/yr	$18,000/yr	-$2,300
Middle School (6-8)	$18,500/yr	$22,000/yr	-$3,500
High School (9-12)	$22,200/yr	$27,500/yr	-$5,300

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Buffalo

$240,500

Providence

$286,000

Choosing Buffalo saves $45,500 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $91,000.

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

Providence

Moses Brown School

Independent (Quaker) · PK–12 · $40,800-$43,200/yr

Wheeler School

Independent · PK–12 · $38,200-$40,800/yr

Providence Country Day School

Independent · 6–12 · $34,800/yr

La Salle Academy (Providence)

Catholic · 9–12 · $14,200/yr

Full Buffalo breakdown → Full Providence breakdown →

New York private school costs Rhode Island 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.