Is private school cheaper in Charlotte or Lowell?

Charlotte has lower average private school tuition at $13,500/year vs $23,600/year in Lowell. That's $10,100/year less, or $131,300 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Charlotte is $10,100/year less than Lowell. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $131,300 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $8,400/year in Charlotte, $12,800/year in Lowell.

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

The national average private school tuition is $12,350/year. Charlotte averages $13,500/year ($1,150 above average). Lowell averages $23,600/year ($11,250 above average).

Private School Cost: Charlotte vs Lowell

Charlotte averages $10,100/year less for private school (75% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $131,300 per child.

Bottom Line

Charlotte is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $13,500/year vs $23,600/year in Lowell. Religious schools run $8,400/year on the low end.

Charlotte

$13,500

avg tuition/year

$1,150 above national avg

Lower cost

Lowell

$23,600

avg tuition/year

$11,250 above national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Charlotte	Lowell	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$13,500/yr	$23,600/yr	-$10,100
Religious Schools	$8,400/yr	$12,800/yr	-$4,400
Independent/Prep	$25,000/yr	$48,100/yr	-$23,100
Elementary (K-5)	$11,000/yr	$20,100/yr	-$9,100
Middle School (6-8)	$13,500/yr	$23,600/yr	-$10,100
High School (9-12)	$16,700/yr	$28,300/yr	-$11,600

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Charlotte

$175,500

Lowell

$306,800

Choosing Charlotte saves $131,300 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $262,600.

Sample Schools

Charlotte

Charlotte Latin School

Independent · K–12 · $26,800-$29,200/yr

Providence Day School

Independent · PK–12 · $24,800/yr

Myers Park Traditional School

Magnet (Free) · K–12

Charlotte Catholic High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $16,200/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 Charlotte breakdown → Full Lowell breakdown →

North Carolina private school costs Massachusetts private school costs

Related Comparisons

Atlanta vs Charlotte → Raleigh vs Charlotte →

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.