Is private school cheaper in Burlington or Waterbury?

Burlington has lower average private school tuition at $18,200/year vs $20,500/year in Waterbury. That's $2,300/year less, or $29,900 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Burlington is $2,300/year less than Waterbury. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $29,900 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $11,000/year in Burlington, $11,300/year in Waterbury.

How do Burlington and Waterbury 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). Waterbury averages $20,500/year ($8,150 above average).

Private School Cost: Burlington vs Waterbury

Burlington averages $2,300/year less for private school (13% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $29,900 per child.

Bottom Line

Burlington is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $18,200/year vs $20,500/year in Waterbury. Religious schools run $11,000/year on the low end.

Burlington

$18,200

avg tuition/year

$5,850 above national avg

Lower cost

Waterbury

$20,500

avg tuition/year

$8,150 above national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Burlington	Waterbury	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$18,200/yr	$20,500/yr	-$2,300
Religious Schools	$11,000/yr	$11,300/yr	-$300
Independent/Prep	$39,800/yr	$40,800/yr	-$1,000
Elementary (K-5)	$15,500/yr	$17,400/yr	-$1,900
Middle School (6-8)	$18,200/yr	$20,500/yr	-$2,300
High School (9-12)	$21,800/yr	$24,600/yr	-$2,800

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Burlington

$236,600

Waterbury

$266,500

Choosing Burlington saves $29,900 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $59,800.

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

Waterbury

Holy Cross High School (Waterbury)

Catholic · 9–12 · $14,800/yr

Crosby High School (Waterbury)

Independent · 9–12 · $9,800/yr

Full Burlington breakdown → Full Waterbury breakdown →

Vermont private school costs Connecticut 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.