Is private school cheaper in Cambridge or Gainesville?

Gainesville has lower average private school tuition at $9,900/year vs $32,000/year in Cambridge. That's $22,100/year less, or $287,300 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Gainesville is $22,100/year less than Cambridge. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $287,300 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $17,300/year in Cambridge, $6,800/year in Gainesville.

How do Cambridge and Gainesville 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). Gainesville averages $9,900/year ($2,450 below average).

Private School Cost: Cambridge vs Gainesville

Gainesville averages $22,100/year less for private school (223% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $287,300 per child.

Bottom Line

Gainesville is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $9,900/year vs $32,000/year in Cambridge. Religious schools run $6,800/year on the low end.

Cambridge

$32,000

avg tuition/year

$19,650 above national avg

Gainesville

$9,900

avg tuition/year

$2,450 below national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Cambridge	Gainesville	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$32,000/yr	$9,900/yr	+$22,100
Religious Schools	$17,300/yr	$6,800/yr	+$10,500
Independent/Prep	$65,000/yr	$20,400/yr	+$44,600
Elementary (K-5)	$27,200/yr	$8,400/yr	+$18,800
Middle School (6-8)	$32,000/yr	$9,900/yr	+$22,100
High School (9-12)	$38,400/yr	$11,900/yr	+$26,500

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Cambridge

$416,000

Gainesville

$128,700

Choosing Gainesville saves $287,300 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $574,600.

Sample Schools

Cambridge

Cambridge School of Weston

Independent · 9–12 · $59,400/yr

Buckingham Browne & Nichols School

Independent · PK–12 · $58,800/yr

Gainesville

Buchholz High School (Private Prep)

Independent · 9–12 · $12,800/yr

Gainesville Christian Academy

Christian · PK–12 · $9,200-$11,400/yr

Full Cambridge breakdown → Full Gainesville breakdown →

Massachusetts private school costs Florida 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.