Is private school cheaper in Cleveland or Paterson?

Cleveland has lower average private school tuition at $11,200/year vs $18,100/year in Paterson. That's $6,900/year less, or $89,700 over a K-12 career.

How much can I save on private school by choosing Cleveland over Paterson?

Average tuition in Cleveland is $6,900/year less than Paterson. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $89,700 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $7,400/year in Cleveland, $11,700/year in Paterson.

How do Cleveland and Paterson private school costs compare to the national average?

The national average private school tuition is $12,350/year. Cleveland averages $11,200/year ($1,150 below average). Paterson averages $18,100/year ($5,750 above average).

Private School Cost: Cleveland vs Paterson

Cleveland averages $6,900/year less for private school (62% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $89,700 per child.

Bottom Line

Cleveland is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $11,200/year vs $18,100/year in Paterson. Religious schools run $7,400/year on the low end.

Cleveland

$11,200

avg tuition/year

$1,150 below national avg

Lower cost

Paterson

$18,100

avg tuition/year

$5,750 above national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Cleveland	Paterson	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$11,200/yr	$18,100/yr	-$6,900
Religious Schools	$7,400/yr	$11,700/yr	-$4,300
Independent/Prep	$21,000/yr	$38,700/yr	-$17,700
Elementary (K-5)	$9,200/yr	$15,400/yr	-$6,200
Middle School (6-8)	$11,200/yr	$18,100/yr	-$6,900
High School (9-12)	$13,800/yr	$21,700/yr	-$7,900

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Cleveland

$145,600

Paterson

$235,300

Choosing Cleveland saves $89,700 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $179,400.

Sample Schools

Cleveland

University School (Cleveland)

Independent · JK–12 · $26,400-$28,800/yr

Laurel School (Cleveland)

Independent · PK–12 · $24,800-$27,200/yr

St. Ignatius High School (Cleveland)

Catholic · 9–12 · $13,800/yr

St. Edward High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $13,200/yr

Paterson

Paramus Catholic High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $15,800/yr

St. Philip the Apostle School

Catholic · K–8 · $10,200-$12,400/yr

Full Cleveland breakdown → Full Paterson breakdown →

Ohio private school costs New Jersey 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.