Is private school cheaper in Cedar Rapids or Seattle?

Cedar Rapids has lower average private school tuition at $6,800/year vs $24,500/year in Seattle. That's $17,700/year less, or $230,100 over a K-12 career.

How much can I save on private school by choosing Cedar Rapids over Seattle?

Average tuition in Cedar Rapids is $17,700/year less than Seattle. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $230,100 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $4,800/year in Cedar Rapids, $13,200/year in Seattle.

How do Cedar Rapids and Seattle private school costs compare to the national average?

The national average private school tuition is $12,350/year. Cedar Rapids averages $6,800/year ($5,550 below average). Seattle averages $24,500/year ($12,150 above average).

Private School Cost: Cedar Rapids vs Seattle

Cedar Rapids averages $17,700/year less for private school (260% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $230,100 per child.

Bottom Line

Cedar Rapids is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $6,800/year vs $24,500/year in Seattle. Religious schools run $4,800/year on the low end.

Cedar Rapids

$6,800

avg tuition/year

$5,550 below national avg

Lower cost

Seattle

$24,500

avg tuition/year

$12,150 above national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Cedar Rapids	Seattle	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$6,800/yr	$24,500/yr	-$17,700
Religious Schools	$4,800/yr	$13,200/yr	-$8,400
Independent/Prep	$14,300/yr	$38,000/yr	-$23,700
Elementary (K-5)	$5,800/yr	$20,000/yr	-$14,200
Middle School (6-8)	$6,800/yr	$24,500/yr	-$17,700
High School (9-12)	$8,200/yr	$30,500/yr	-$22,300

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Cedar Rapids

$88,400

Seattle

$318,500

Choosing Cedar Rapids saves $230,100 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $460,200.

Sample Schools

Cedar Rapids

Xavier High School (Cedar Rapids)

Catholic · 9–12 · $9,400/yr

Cedar Rapids Christian School

Christian · K–12 · $8,400-$10,400/yr

Seattle

University Prep

Independent · 6–12 · $42,800/yr

Northwest School

Independent · 6–12 · $39,400/yr

Seattle Prep

Catholic · 9–12 · $21,200/yr

O'Dea High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $17,800/yr

Full Cedar Rapids breakdown → Full Seattle breakdown →

Iowa private school costs Washington private school costs

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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.