Private School Cost: Burlington vs Carlsbad
Burlington averages $600/year less for private school (3% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $7,800 per child.
Bottom Line
Burlington is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $18,200/year vs $18,800/year in Carlsbad. Religious schools run $11,000/year on the low end.
Burlington
VT
$18,200
avg tuition/year
Carlsbad
CA
$18,800
avg tuition/year
Tuition by School Type & Grade
| Category | Burlington | Carlsbad | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| All Schools (Average) | $18,200/yr | $18,800/yr | -$600 |
| Religious Schools | $11,000/yr | $12,200/yr | -$1,200 |
| Independent/Prep | $39,800/yr | $36,600/yr | +$3,200 |
| Elementary (K-5) | $15,500/yr | $16,000/yr | -$500 |
| Middle School (6-8) | $18,200/yr | $18,800/yr | -$600 |
| High School (9-12) | $21,800/yr | $22,600/yr | -$800 |
K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)
Burlington
$236,600
Carlsbad
$244,400
Choosing Burlington saves $7,800 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $15,600.
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
Carlsbad
Army Navy Academy (Carlsbad)
Independent (Military) · 7–12 · $47,500-$52,000/yr
Pacific Ridge School
Independent · 6–12 · $34,200/yr
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.