Is private school cheaper in Cambridge or Paterson?

Paterson has lower average private school tuition at $18,100/year vs $32,000/year in Cambridge. That's $13,900/year less, or $180,700 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Paterson is $13,900/year less than Cambridge. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $180,700 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $17,300/year in Cambridge, $11,700/year in Paterson.

How do Cambridge and Paterson 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). Paterson averages $18,100/year ($5,750 above average).

Private School Cost: Cambridge vs Paterson

Paterson averages $13,900/year less for private school (77% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $180,700 per child.

Bottom Line

Paterson is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $18,100/year vs $32,000/year in Cambridge. Religious schools run $11,700/year on the low end.

Cambridge

$32,000

avg tuition/year

$19,650 above national avg

Paterson

$18,100

avg tuition/year

$5,750 above national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Cambridge	Paterson	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$32,000/yr	$18,100/yr	+$13,900
Religious Schools	$17,300/yr	$11,700/yr	+$5,600
Independent/Prep	$65,000/yr	$38,700/yr	+$26,300
Elementary (K-5)	$27,200/yr	$15,400/yr	+$11,800
Middle School (6-8)	$32,000/yr	$18,100/yr	+$13,900
High School (9-12)	$38,400/yr	$21,700/yr	+$16,700

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Cambridge

$416,000

Paterson

$235,300

Choosing Paterson saves $180,700 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $361,400.

Sample Schools

Cambridge

Cambridge School of Weston

Independent · 9–12 · $59,400/yr

Buckingham Browne & Nichols School

Independent · PK–12 · $58,800/yr

Paterson

Paramus Catholic High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $15,800/yr

St. Philip the Apostle School

Catholic · K–8 · $10,200-$12,400/yr

Full Cambridge breakdown → Full Paterson breakdown →

Massachusetts private school costs New Jersey 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.