Is private school cheaper in Burlington or Gainesville?

Gainesville has lower average private school tuition at $9,900/year vs $18,200/year in Burlington. That's $8,300/year less, or $107,900 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Gainesville is $8,300/year less than Burlington. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $107,900 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $11,000/year in Burlington, $6,800/year in Gainesville.

How do Burlington and Gainesville 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). Gainesville averages $9,900/year ($2,450 below average).

Private School Cost: Burlington vs Gainesville

Gainesville averages $8,300/year less for private school (84% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $107,900 per child.

Bottom Line

Gainesville is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $9,900/year vs $18,200/year in Burlington. Religious schools run $6,800/year on the low end.

Burlington

$18,200

avg tuition/year

$5,850 above national avg

Gainesville

$9,900

avg tuition/year

$2,450 below national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Burlington	Gainesville	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$18,200/yr	$9,900/yr	+$8,300
Religious Schools	$11,000/yr	$6,800/yr	+$4,200
Independent/Prep	$39,800/yr	$20,400/yr	+$19,400
Elementary (K-5)	$15,500/yr	$8,400/yr	+$7,100
Middle School (6-8)	$18,200/yr	$9,900/yr	+$8,300
High School (9-12)	$21,800/yr	$11,900/yr	+$9,900

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Burlington

$236,600

Gainesville

$128,700

Choosing Gainesville saves $107,900 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $215,800.

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

Gainesville

Buchholz High School (Private Prep)

Independent · 9–12 · $12,800/yr

Gainesville Christian Academy

Christian · PK–12 · $9,200-$11,400/yr

Full Burlington breakdown → Full Gainesville breakdown →

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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.