Is private school cheaper in Frederick or South Bend?

South Bend has lower average private school tuition at $7,400/year vs $16,700/year in Frederick. That's $9,300/year less, or $120,900 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in South Bend is $9,300/year less than Frederick. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $120,900 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $11,300/year in Frederick, $5,500/year in South Bend.

How do Frederick and South Bend 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). South Bend averages $7,400/year ($4,950 below average).

Private School Cost: Frederick vs South Bend

South Bend averages $9,300/year less for private school (126% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $120,900 per child.

Bottom Line

South Bend is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $7,400/year vs $16,700/year in Frederick. Religious schools run $5,500/year on the low end.

Frederick

$16,700

avg tuition/year

$4,350 above national avg

South Bend

$7,400

avg tuition/year

$4,950 below national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Frederick	South Bend	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$16,700/yr	$7,400/yr	+$9,300
Religious Schools	$11,300/yr	$5,500/yr	+$5,800
Independent/Prep	$35,100/yr	$15,400/yr	+$19,700
Elementary (K-5)	$14,200/yr	$6,300/yr	+$7,900
Middle School (6-8)	$16,700/yr	$7,400/yr	+$9,300
High School (9-12)	$20,000/yr	$8,900/yr	+$11,100

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Frederick

$217,100

South Bend

$96,200

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

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

South Bend

Saint Joseph High School (South Bend)

Catholic · 9–12 · $9,600/yr

South Bend STEM Academy

Independent · K–12 · $9,200-$11,400/yr

Full Frederick breakdown → Full South Bend breakdown →

Maryland private school costs Indiana 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.