Is private school cheaper in Hartford or Riverside?

Riverside has lower average private school tuition at $14,900/year vs $28,000/year in Hartford. That's $13,100/year less, or $170,300 over a K-12 career.

How much can I save on private school by choosing Riverside over Hartford?

Average tuition in Riverside is $13,100/year less than Hartford. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $170,300 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $15,800/year in Hartford, $9,700/year in Riverside.

How do Hartford and Riverside private school costs compare to the national average?

The national average private school tuition is $12,350/year. Hartford averages $28,000/year ($15,650 above average). Riverside averages $14,900/year ($2,550 above average).

Private School Cost: Hartford vs Riverside

Riverside averages $13,100/year less for private school (88% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $170,300 per child.

Bottom Line

Riverside is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $14,900/year vs $28,000/year in Hartford. Religious schools run $9,700/year on the low end.

Hartford

$28,000

avg tuition/year

$15,650 above national avg

Riverside

$14,900

avg tuition/year

$2,550 above national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Hartford	Riverside	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$28,000/yr	$14,900/yr	+$13,100
Religious Schools	$15,800/yr	$9,700/yr	+$6,100
Independent/Prep	$44,500/yr	$29,000/yr	+$15,500
Elementary (K-5)	$22,800/yr	$12,700/yr	+$10,100
Middle School (6-8)	$28,000/yr	$14,900/yr	+$13,100
High School (9-12)	$35,000/yr	$17,900/yr	+$17,100

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Hartford

$364,000

Riverside

$193,700

Choosing Riverside saves $170,300 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $340,600.

Sample Schools

Hartford

Kingswood Oxford School

Independent · 6–12 · $44,800-$47,200/yr

Loomis Chaffee School

Independent (Day) · 9–12 · $48,200/yr

Watkinson School

Independent · 6–12 · $36,800/yr

Northwest Catholic High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $17,800/yr

Riverside

Notre Dame High School (Riverside)

Catholic · 9–12 · $17,800/yr

Riverside Christian School

Christian · K–12 · $9,200-$11,400/yr

Full Hartford breakdown → Full Riverside breakdown →

Connecticut private school costs California 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.