Is private school cheaper in Cambridge or Carlsbad?

Carlsbad has lower average private school tuition at $18,800/year vs $32,000/year in Cambridge. That's $13,200/year less, or $171,600 over a K-12 career.

How much can I save on private school by choosing Carlsbad over Cambridge?

Average tuition in Carlsbad is $13,200/year less than Cambridge. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $171,600 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $17,300/year in Cambridge, $12,200/year in Carlsbad.

How do Cambridge and Carlsbad private school costs compare to the national average?

The national average private school tuition is $12,350/year. Cambridge averages $32,000/year ($19,650 above average). Carlsbad averages $18,800/year ($6,450 above average).

Private School Cost: Cambridge vs Carlsbad

Carlsbad averages $13,200/year less for private school (70% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $171,600 per child.

Bottom Line

Carlsbad is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $18,800/year vs $32,000/year in Cambridge. Religious schools run $12,200/year on the low end.

Cambridge

$32,000

avg tuition/year

$19,650 above national avg

Carlsbad

$18,800

avg tuition/year

$6,450 above national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Cambridge	Carlsbad	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$32,000/yr	$18,800/yr	+$13,200
Religious Schools	$17,300/yr	$12,200/yr	+$5,100
Independent/Prep	$65,000/yr	$36,600/yr	+$28,400
Elementary (K-5)	$27,200/yr	$16,000/yr	+$11,200
Middle School (6-8)	$32,000/yr	$18,800/yr	+$13,200
High School (9-12)	$38,400/yr	$22,600/yr	+$15,800

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Cambridge

$416,000

Carlsbad

$244,400

Choosing Carlsbad saves $171,600 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $343,200.

Sample Schools

Cambridge

Cambridge School of Weston

Independent · 9–12 · $59,400/yr

Buckingham Browne & Nichols School

Independent · PK–12 · $58,800/yr

Carlsbad

Army Navy Academy (Carlsbad)

Independent (Military) · 7–12 · $47,500-$52,000/yr

Pacific Ridge School

Independent · 6–12 · $34,200/yr

Full Cambridge breakdown → Full Carlsbad breakdown →

Massachusetts private school costs California 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.