Is private school cheaper in Frederick or Salem?

Salem has lower average private school tuition at $12,400/year vs $16,700/year in Frederick. That's $4,300/year less, or $55,900 over a K-12 career.

How much can I save on private school by choosing Salem over Frederick?

Average tuition in Salem is $4,300/year less than Frederick. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $55,900 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $11,300/year in Frederick, $8,400/year in Salem.

How do Frederick and Salem private school costs compare to the national average?

The national average private school tuition is $12,350/year. Frederick averages $16,700/year ($4,350 above average). Salem averages $12,400/year ($50 above average).

Private School Cost: Frederick vs Salem

Salem averages $4,300/year less for private school (35% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $55,900 per child.

Bottom Line

Salem is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $12,400/year vs $16,700/year in Frederick. Religious schools run $8,400/year on the low end.

Frederick

$16,700

avg tuition/year

$4,350 above national avg

Salem

$12,400

avg tuition/year

$50 above national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Frederick	Salem	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$16,700/yr	$12,400/yr	+$4,300
Religious Schools	$11,300/yr	$8,400/yr	+$2,900
Independent/Prep	$35,100/yr	$25,000/yr	+$10,100
Elementary (K-5)	$14,200/yr	$10,500/yr	+$3,700
Middle School (6-8)	$16,700/yr	$12,400/yr	+$4,300
High School (9-12)	$20,000/yr	$14,900/yr	+$5,100

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Frederick

$217,100

Salem

$161,200

Choosing Salem saves $55,900 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $111,800.

Sample Schools

Frederick

Frederick Classical Charter School (Private Prep)

Independent · K–12 · $11,200/yr

Visitation Academy (Frederick MD)

Catholic · PK–8 · $12,400/yr

Salem

Salem Academy (OR)

Christian · 9–12 · $14,800/yr

Blanchet Catholic School (Salem)

Catholic · 9–12 · $12,400/yr

Full Frederick breakdown → Full Salem breakdown →

Maryland private school costs Oregon 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.