Is private school cheaper in Cambridge or Des Moines?

Des Moines has lower average private school tuition at $6,900/year vs $32,000/year in Cambridge. That's $25,100/year less, or $326,300 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Des Moines is $25,100/year less than Cambridge. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $326,300 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $17,300/year in Cambridge, $4,800/year in Des Moines.

How do Cambridge and Des Moines 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). Des Moines averages $6,900/year ($5,450 below average).

Private School Cost: Cambridge vs Des Moines

Des Moines averages $25,100/year less for private school (364% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $326,300 per child.

Bottom Line

Des Moines is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $6,900/year vs $32,000/year in Cambridge. Religious schools run $4,800/year on the low end.

Cambridge

$32,000

avg tuition/year

$19,650 above national avg

Des Moines

$6,900

avg tuition/year

$5,450 below national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Cambridge	Des Moines	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$32,000/yr	$6,900/yr	+$25,100
Religious Schools	$17,300/yr	$4,800/yr	+$12,500
Independent/Prep	$65,000/yr	$14,400/yr	+$50,600
Elementary (K-5)	$27,200/yr	$5,900/yr	+$21,300
Middle School (6-8)	$32,000/yr	$6,900/yr	+$25,100
High School (9-12)	$38,400/yr	$8,300/yr	+$30,100

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Cambridge

$416,000

Des Moines

$89,700

Choosing Des Moines saves $326,300 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $652,600.

Sample Schools

Cambridge

Cambridge School of Weston

Independent · 9–12 · $59,400/yr

Buckingham Browne & Nichols School

Independent · PK–12 · $58,800/yr

Des Moines

Dowling Catholic High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $10,400/yr

Des Moines Christian School

Christian · PK–12 · $9,600-$12,000/yr

Full Cambridge breakdown → Full Des Moines breakdown →

Massachusetts private school costs Iowa 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.