Is private school cheaper in Chesapeake or Lowell?

Chesapeake has lower average private school tuition at $14,300/year vs $23,600/year in Lowell. That's $9,300/year less, or $120,900 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Chesapeake is $9,300/year less than Lowell. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $120,900 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $9,800/year in Chesapeake, $12,800/year in Lowell.

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

The national average private school tuition is $12,350/year. Chesapeake averages $14,300/year ($1,950 above average). Lowell averages $23,600/year ($11,250 above average).

Private School Cost: Chesapeake vs Lowell

Chesapeake averages $9,300/year less for private school (65% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $120,900 per child.

Bottom Line

Chesapeake is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $14,300/year vs $23,600/year in Lowell. Religious schools run $9,800/year on the low end.

Chesapeake

$14,300

avg tuition/year

$1,950 above national avg

Lower cost

Lowell

$23,600

avg tuition/year

$11,250 above national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Chesapeake	Lowell	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$14,300/yr	$23,600/yr	-$9,300
Religious Schools	$9,800/yr	$12,800/yr	-$3,000
Independent/Prep	$28,500/yr	$48,100/yr	-$19,600
Elementary (K-5)	$12,200/yr	$20,100/yr	-$7,900
Middle School (6-8)	$14,300/yr	$23,600/yr	-$9,300
High School (9-12)	$17,200/yr	$28,300/yr	-$11,100

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Chesapeake

$185,900

Lowell

$306,800

Choosing Chesapeake saves $120,900 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $241,800.

Sample Schools

Chesapeake

Greenbrier Christian Academy

Christian · K–12 · $9,400-$11,800/yr

Norfolk Academy

Independent · K–12 · $23,800/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 Chesapeake breakdown → Full Lowell breakdown →

Virginia 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.