Is private school cheaper in Burlington or Paterson?

Paterson has lower average private school tuition at $18,100/year vs $18,200/year in Burlington. That's $100/year less, or $1,300 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Paterson is $100/year less than Burlington. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $1,300 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $11,000/year in Burlington, $11,700/year in Paterson.

How do Burlington and Paterson 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). Paterson averages $18,100/year ($5,750 above average).

Private School Cost: Burlington vs Paterson

Paterson averages $100/year less for private school (1% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $1,300 per child.

Bottom Line

Paterson is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $18,100/year vs $18,200/year in Burlington. Religious schools run $11,000/year on the low end.

Burlington

$18,200

avg tuition/year

$5,850 above national avg

Paterson

$18,100

avg tuition/year

$5,750 above national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Burlington	Paterson	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$18,200/yr	$18,100/yr	+$100
Religious Schools	$11,000/yr	$11,700/yr	-$700
Independent/Prep	$39,800/yr	$38,700/yr	+$1,100
Elementary (K-5)	$15,500/yr	$15,400/yr	+$100
Middle School (6-8)	$18,200/yr	$18,100/yr	+$100
High School (9-12)	$21,800/yr	$21,700/yr	+$100

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Burlington

$236,600

Paterson

$235,300

Choosing Paterson saves $1,300 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $2,600.

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

Paterson

Paramus Catholic High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $15,800/yr

St. Philip the Apostle School

Catholic · K–8 · $10,200-$12,400/yr

Full Burlington breakdown → Full Paterson breakdown →

Vermont private school costs New Jersey 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.