Is private school cheaper in Burlington or Palmdale?

Palmdale has lower average private school tuition at $14,900/year vs $18,200/year in Burlington. That's $3,300/year less, or $42,900 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Palmdale is $3,300/year less than Burlington. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $42,900 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $11,000/year in Burlington, $9,700/year in Palmdale.

How do Burlington and Palmdale 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). Palmdale averages $14,900/year ($2,550 above average).

Private School Cost: Burlington vs Palmdale

Palmdale averages $3,300/year less for private school (22% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $42,900 per child.

Bottom Line

Palmdale is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $14,900/year vs $18,200/year in Burlington. Religious schools run $9,700/year on the low end.

Burlington

$18,200

avg tuition/year

$5,850 above national avg

Palmdale

$14,900

avg tuition/year

$2,550 above national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Burlington	Palmdale	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$18,200/yr	$14,900/yr	+$3,300
Religious Schools	$11,000/yr	$9,700/yr	+$1,300
Independent/Prep	$39,800/yr	$29,000/yr	+$10,800
Elementary (K-5)	$15,500/yr	$12,700/yr	+$2,800
Middle School (6-8)	$18,200/yr	$14,900/yr	+$3,300
High School (9-12)	$21,800/yr	$17,900/yr	+$3,900

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Burlington

$236,600

Palmdale

$193,700

Choosing Palmdale saves $42,900 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $85,800.

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

Palmdale

Palmdale Aerospace Academy (Private)

Independent · K–12 · $10,200/yr

St. Mary School (Palmdale)

Catholic · K–8 · $8,200-$9,800/yr

Full Burlington breakdown → Full Palmdale 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.