Private School Cost: Burlington vs Lafayette
Lafayette averages $12,000/year less for private school (194% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $156,000 per child.
Bottom Line
Lafayette is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $6,200/year vs $18,200/year in Burlington. Religious schools run $4,600/year on the low end.
Burlington
VT
$18,200
avg tuition/year
Lafayette
LA
$6,200
avg tuition/year
Tuition by School Type & Grade
| Category | Burlington | Lafayette | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| All Schools (Average) | $18,200/yr | $6,200/yr | +$12,000 |
| Religious Schools | $11,000/yr | $4,600/yr | +$6,400 |
| Independent/Prep | $39,800/yr | $14,900/yr | +$24,900 |
| Elementary (K-5) | $15,500/yr | $5,300/yr | +$10,200 |
| Middle School (6-8) | $18,200/yr | $6,200/yr | +$12,000 |
| High School (9-12) | $21,800/yr | $7,400/yr | +$14,400 |
K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)
Burlington
$236,600
Lafayette
$80,600
Choosing Lafayette saves $156,000 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $312,000.
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
Lafayette
Teurlings Catholic High School
Catholic · 9–12 · $9,600/yr
Ascension Episcopal School (Lafayette)
Independent (Episcopal) · PK–12 · $14,800/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.