Is private school cheaper in Cambridge or Trenton?

Trenton has lower average private school tuition at $16,800/year vs $32,000/year in Cambridge. That's $15,200/year less, or $197,600 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Trenton is $15,200/year less than Cambridge. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $197,600 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $17,300/year in Cambridge, $10,800/year in Trenton.

How do Cambridge and Trenton 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). Trenton averages $16,800/year ($4,450 above average).

Private School Cost: Cambridge vs Trenton

Trenton averages $15,200/year less for private school (90% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $197,600 per child.

Bottom Line

Trenton is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $16,800/year vs $32,000/year in Cambridge. Religious schools run $10,800/year on the low end.

Cambridge

$32,000

avg tuition/year

$19,650 above national avg

Trenton

$16,800

avg tuition/year

$4,450 above national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Cambridge	Trenton	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$32,000/yr	$16,800/yr	+$15,200
Religious Schools	$17,300/yr	$10,800/yr	+$6,500
Independent/Prep	$65,000/yr	$35,800/yr	+$29,200
Elementary (K-5)	$27,200/yr	$14,300/yr	+$12,900
Middle School (6-8)	$32,000/yr	$16,800/yr	+$15,200
High School (9-12)	$38,400/yr	$20,200/yr	+$18,200

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Cambridge

$416,000

Trenton

$218,400

Choosing Trenton saves $197,600 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $395,200.

Sample Schools

Cambridge

Cambridge School of Weston

Independent · 9–12 · $59,400/yr

Buckingham Browne & Nichols School

Independent · PK–12 · $58,800/yr

Trenton

Notre Dame High School (Trenton NJ)

Catholic · 9–12 · $14,200/yr

Trenton Catholic Academy

Catholic · K–12 · $12,400/yr

Full Cambridge breakdown → Full Trenton 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.