Is private school cheaper in Carlsbad or Lowell?

Carlsbad has lower average private school tuition at $18,800/year vs $23,600/year in Lowell. That's $4,800/year less, or $62,400 over a K-12 career.

How much can I save on private school by choosing Carlsbad over Lowell?

Average tuition in Carlsbad is $4,800/year less than Lowell. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $62,400 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $12,200/year in Carlsbad, $12,800/year in Lowell.

How do Carlsbad and Lowell private school costs compare to the national average?

The national average private school tuition is $12,350/year. Carlsbad averages $18,800/year ($6,450 above average). Lowell averages $23,600/year ($11,250 above average).

Private School Cost: Carlsbad vs Lowell

Carlsbad averages $4,800/year less for private school (26% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $62,400 per child.

Bottom Line

Carlsbad is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $18,800/year vs $23,600/year in Lowell. Religious schools run $12,200/year on the low end.

Carlsbad

$18,800

avg tuition/year

$6,450 above national avg

Lower cost

Lowell

$23,600

avg tuition/year

$11,250 above national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Carlsbad	Lowell	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$18,800/yr	$23,600/yr	-$4,800
Religious Schools	$12,200/yr	$12,800/yr	-$600
Independent/Prep	$36,600/yr	$48,100/yr	-$11,500
Elementary (K-5)	$16,000/yr	$20,100/yr	-$4,100
Middle School (6-8)	$18,800/yr	$23,600/yr	-$4,800
High School (9-12)	$22,600/yr	$28,300/yr	-$5,700

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Carlsbad

$244,400

Lowell

$306,800

Choosing Carlsbad saves $62,400 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $124,800.

Sample Schools

Carlsbad

Army Navy Academy (Carlsbad)

Independent (Military) · 7–12 · $47,500-$52,000/yr

Pacific Ridge School

Independent · 6–12 · $34,200/yr

Lowell

Lowell Catholic High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $12,400/yr

St. Michael Academy (Lowell)

Catholic · K–8 · $10,800-$12,800/yr

Full Carlsbad breakdown → Full Lowell breakdown →

California private school costs Massachusetts 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.