Is private school cheaper in Honolulu or Providence?

Honolulu has lower average private school tuition at $20,200/year vs $22,000/year in Providence. That's $1,800/year less, or $23,400 over a K-12 career.

How much can I save on private school by choosing Honolulu over Providence?

Average tuition in Honolulu is $1,800/year less than Providence. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $23,400 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $12,900/year in Honolulu, $12,400/year in Providence.

How do Honolulu and Providence private school costs compare to the national average?

The national average private school tuition is $12,350/year. Honolulu averages $20,200/year ($7,850 above average). Providence averages $22,000/year ($9,650 above average).

Private School Cost: Honolulu vs Providence

Honolulu averages $1,800/year less for private school (9% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $23,400 per child.

Bottom Line

Honolulu is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $20,200/year vs $22,000/year in Providence. Religious schools run $12,400/year on the low end.

Honolulu

$20,200

avg tuition/year

$7,850 above national avg

Lower cost

Providence

$22,000

avg tuition/year

$9,650 above national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Honolulu	Providence	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$20,200/yr	$22,000/yr	-$1,800
Religious Schools	$12,900/yr	$12,400/yr	+$500
Independent/Prep	$37,600/yr	$36,000/yr	+$1,600
Elementary (K-5)	$17,200/yr	$18,000/yr	-$800
Middle School (6-8)	$20,200/yr	$22,000/yr	-$1,800
High School (9-12)	$24,200/yr	$27,500/yr	-$3,300

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Honolulu

$262,600

Providence

$286,000

Choosing Honolulu saves $23,400 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $46,800.

Sample Schools

Honolulu

Punahou School

Independent · K–12 · $27,400/yr

Iolani School

Independent (Episcopal) · K–12 · $24,800/yr

Saint Louis School (Honolulu)

Catholic · 9–12 · $13,800/yr

Providence

Moses Brown School

Independent (Quaker) · PK–12 · $40,800-$43,200/yr

Wheeler School

Independent · PK–12 · $38,200-$40,800/yr

Providence Country Day School

Independent · 6–12 · $34,800/yr

La Salle Academy (Providence)

Catholic · 9–12 · $14,200/yr

Full Honolulu breakdown → Full Providence breakdown →

Hawaii private school costs Rhode Island 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.