Is private school cheaper in Gainesville or Lowell?

Gainesville has lower average private school tuition at $9,900/year vs $23,600/year in Lowell. That's $13,700/year less, or $178,100 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Gainesville is $13,700/year less than Lowell. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $178,100 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $6,800/year in Gainesville, $12,800/year in Lowell.

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

The national average private school tuition is $12,350/year. Gainesville averages $9,900/year ($2,450 below average). Lowell averages $23,600/year ($11,250 above average).

Private School Cost: Gainesville vs Lowell

Gainesville averages $13,700/year less for private school (138% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $178,100 per child.

Bottom Line

Gainesville is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $9,900/year vs $23,600/year in Lowell. Religious schools run $6,800/year on the low end.

Gainesville

$9,900

avg tuition/year

$2,450 below national avg

Lower cost

Lowell

$23,600

avg tuition/year

$11,250 above national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Gainesville	Lowell	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$9,900/yr	$23,600/yr	-$13,700
Religious Schools	$6,800/yr	$12,800/yr	-$6,000
Independent/Prep	$20,400/yr	$48,100/yr	-$27,700
Elementary (K-5)	$8,400/yr	$20,100/yr	-$11,700
Middle School (6-8)	$9,900/yr	$23,600/yr	-$13,700
High School (9-12)	$11,900/yr	$28,300/yr	-$16,400

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Gainesville

$128,700

Lowell

$306,800

Choosing Gainesville saves $178,100 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $356,200.

Sample Schools

Gainesville

Buchholz High School (Private Prep)

Independent · 9–12 · $12,800/yr

Gainesville Christian Academy

Christian · PK–12 · $9,200-$11,400/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 Gainesville breakdown → Full Lowell breakdown →

Florida 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.