Is private school cheaper in Clovis or Paterson?

Clovis has lower average private school tuition at $14,400/year vs $18,100/year in Paterson. That's $3,700/year less, or $48,100 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Clovis is $3,700/year less than Paterson. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $48,100 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $9,400/year in Clovis, $11,700/year in Paterson.

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

The national average private school tuition is $12,350/year. Clovis averages $14,400/year ($2,050 above average). Paterson averages $18,100/year ($5,750 above average).

Private School Cost: Clovis vs Paterson

Clovis averages $3,700/year less for private school (26% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $48,100 per child.

Bottom Line

Clovis is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $14,400/year vs $18,100/year in Paterson. Religious schools run $9,400/year on the low end.

Clovis

$14,400

avg tuition/year

$2,050 above national avg

Lower cost

Paterson

$18,100

avg tuition/year

$5,750 above national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Clovis	Paterson	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$14,400/yr	$18,100/yr	-$3,700
Religious Schools	$9,400/yr	$11,700/yr	-$2,300
Independent/Prep	$28,100/yr	$38,700/yr	-$10,600
Elementary (K-5)	$12,200/yr	$15,400/yr	-$3,200
Middle School (6-8)	$14,400/yr	$18,100/yr	-$3,700
High School (9-12)	$17,300/yr	$21,700/yr	-$4,400

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Clovis

$187,200

Paterson

$235,300

Choosing Clovis saves $48,100 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $96,200.

Sample Schools

Clovis

Clovis Christian Schools

Christian · K–12 · $9,400-$11,200/yr

St. Anthony of Padua School

Catholic · K–8 · $8,200-$9,800/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 Clovis breakdown → Full Paterson breakdown →

California 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.