Private School Cost: Cambridge vs Lafayette
Lafayette averages $25,800/year less for private school (416% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $335,400 per child.
Bottom Line
Lafayette is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $6,200/year vs $32,000/year in Cambridge. Religious schools run $4,600/year on the low end.
Cambridge
MA
$32,000
avg tuition/year
Lafayette
LA
$6,200
avg tuition/year
Tuition by School Type & Grade
| Category | Cambridge | Lafayette | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| All Schools (Average) | $32,000/yr | $6,200/yr | +$25,800 |
| Religious Schools | $17,300/yr | $4,600/yr | +$12,700 |
| Independent/Prep | $65,000/yr | $14,900/yr | +$50,100 |
| Elementary (K-5) | $27,200/yr | $5,300/yr | +$21,900 |
| Middle School (6-8) | $32,000/yr | $6,200/yr | +$25,800 |
| High School (9-12) | $38,400/yr | $7,400/yr | +$31,000 |
K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)
Cambridge
$416,000
Lafayette
$80,600
Choosing Lafayette saves $335,400 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $670,800.
Sample Schools
Cambridge
Cambridge School of Weston
Independent · 9–12 · $59,400/yr
Buckingham Browne & Nichols School
Independent · PK–12 · $58,800/yr
Lafayette
Teurlings Catholic High School
Catholic · 9–12 · $9,600/yr
Ascension Episcopal School (Lafayette)
Independent (Episcopal) · PK–12 · $14,800/yr
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.