Is private school cheaper in Burlington or Cambridge?

Burlington has lower average private school tuition at $18,200/year vs $32,000/year in Cambridge. That's $13,800/year less, or $179,400 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Burlington is $13,800/year less than Cambridge. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $179,400 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $11,000/year in Burlington, $17,300/year in Cambridge.

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

The national average private school tuition is $12,350/year. Burlington averages $18,200/year ($5,850 above average). Cambridge averages $32,000/year ($19,650 above average).

Private School Cost: Burlington vs Cambridge

Burlington averages $13,800/year less for private school (76% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $179,400 per child.

Bottom Line

Burlington is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $18,200/year vs $32,000/year in Cambridge. Religious schools run $11,000/year on the low end.

Burlington

$18,200

avg tuition/year

$5,850 above national avg

Lower cost

Cambridge

$32,000

avg tuition/year

$19,650 above national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Burlington	Cambridge	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$18,200/yr	$32,000/yr	-$13,800
Religious Schools	$11,000/yr	$17,300/yr	-$6,300
Independent/Prep	$39,800/yr	$65,000/yr	-$25,200
Elementary (K-5)	$15,500/yr	$27,200/yr	-$11,700
Middle School (6-8)	$18,200/yr	$32,000/yr	-$13,800
High School (9-12)	$21,800/yr	$38,400/yr	-$16,600

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Burlington

$236,600

Cambridge

$416,000

Choosing Burlington saves $179,400 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $358,800.

Sample Schools

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

Cambridge

Cambridge School of Weston

Independent · 9–12 · $59,400/yr

Buckingham Browne & Nichols School

Independent · PK–12 · $58,800/yr

Full Burlington breakdown → Full Cambridge breakdown →

Vermont 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.