Is private school cheaper in Cambridge or New Orleans?

New Orleans has lower average private school tuition at $11,800/year vs $32,000/year in Cambridge. That's $20,200/year less, or $262,600 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in New Orleans is $20,200/year less than Cambridge. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $262,600 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $17,300/year in Cambridge, $7,600/year in New Orleans.

How do Cambridge and New Orleans 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). New Orleans averages $11,800/year ($550 below average).

Private School Cost: Cambridge vs New Orleans

New Orleans averages $20,200/year less for private school (171% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $262,600 per child.

Bottom Line

New Orleans is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $11,800/year vs $32,000/year in Cambridge. Religious schools run $7,600/year on the low end.

Cambridge

$32,000

avg tuition/year

$19,650 above national avg

New Orleans

$11,800

avg tuition/year

$550 below national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Cambridge	New Orleans	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$32,000/yr	$11,800/yr	+$20,200
Religious Schools	$17,300/yr	$7,600/yr	+$9,700
Independent/Prep	$65,000/yr	$22,000/yr	+$43,000
Elementary (K-5)	$27,200/yr	$9,600/yr	+$17,600
Middle School (6-8)	$32,000/yr	$11,800/yr	+$20,200
High School (9-12)	$38,400/yr	$14,600/yr	+$23,800

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Cambridge

$416,000

New Orleans

$153,400

Choosing New Orleans saves $262,600 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $525,200.

Sample Schools

Cambridge

Cambridge School of Weston

Independent · 9–12 · $59,400/yr

Buckingham Browne & Nichols School

Independent · PK–12 · $58,800/yr

New Orleans

Tulane-affiliated University Schools

Independent · PK–12 · $21,400-$23,800/yr

Jesuit High School New Orleans

Catholic · 9–12 · $15,400/yr

Ursuline Academy (New Orleans)

Catholic · 6–12 · $13,200/yr

Brother Martin High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $12,800/yr

Full Cambridge breakdown → Full New Orleans breakdown →

Massachusetts private school costs Louisiana 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.