Is private school cheaper in Cedar Rapids or Worcester?

Cedar Rapids has lower average private school tuition at $6,800/year vs $23,600/year in Worcester. That's $16,800/year less, or $218,400 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Cedar Rapids is $16,800/year less than Worcester. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $218,400 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $4,800/year in Cedar Rapids, $12,800/year in Worcester.

How do Cedar Rapids and Worcester 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). Worcester averages $23,600/year ($11,250 above average).

Private School Cost: Cedar Rapids vs Worcester

Cedar Rapids averages $16,800/year less for private school (247% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $218,400 per child.

Bottom Line

Cedar Rapids is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $6,800/year vs $23,600/year in Worcester. Religious schools run $4,800/year on the low end.

Cedar Rapids

$6,800

avg tuition/year

$5,550 below national avg

Lower cost

Worcester

$23,600

avg tuition/year

$11,250 above national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Cedar Rapids	Worcester	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$6,800/yr	$23,600/yr	-$16,800
Religious Schools	$4,800/yr	$12,800/yr	-$8,000
Independent/Prep	$14,300/yr	$48,100/yr	-$33,800
Elementary (K-5)	$5,800/yr	$20,100/yr	-$14,300
Middle School (6-8)	$6,800/yr	$23,600/yr	-$16,800
High School (9-12)	$8,200/yr	$28,300/yr	-$20,100

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Cedar Rapids

$88,400

Worcester

$306,800

Choosing Cedar Rapids saves $218,400 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $436,800.

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

Worcester

Holy Name Central Catholic High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $13,800/yr

Worcester Academy

Independent · 9–12 · $36,400/yr

Full Cedar Rapids breakdown → Full Worcester breakdown →

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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.