Is private school cheaper in Indianapolis or Springfield?

Indianapolis has lower average private school tuition at $12,000/year vs $22,500/year in Springfield. That's $10,500/year less, or $136,500 over a K-12 career.

How much can I save on private school by choosing Indianapolis over Springfield?

Average tuition in Indianapolis is $10,500/year less than Springfield. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $136,500 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $7,800/year in Indianapolis, $12,200/year in Springfield.

How do Indianapolis and Springfield private school costs compare to the national average?

The national average private school tuition is $12,350/year. Indianapolis averages $12,000/year ($350 below average). Springfield averages $22,500/year ($10,150 above average).

Private School Cost: Indianapolis vs Springfield

Indianapolis averages $10,500/year less for private school (88% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $136,500 per child.

Bottom Line

Indianapolis is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $12,000/year vs $22,500/year in Springfield. Religious schools run $7,800/year on the low end.

Indianapolis

$12,000

avg tuition/year

$350 below national avg

Lower cost

Springfield

$22,500

avg tuition/year

$10,150 above national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Indianapolis	Springfield	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$12,000/yr	$22,500/yr	-$10,500
Religious Schools	$7,800/yr	$12,200/yr	-$4,400
Independent/Prep	$22,500/yr	$45,800/yr	-$23,300
Elementary (K-5)	$9,800/yr	$19,100/yr	-$9,300
Middle School (6-8)	$12,000/yr	$22,500/yr	-$10,500
High School (9-12)	$14,800/yr	$27,000/yr	-$12,200

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Indianapolis

$156,000

Springfield

$292,500

Choosing Indianapolis saves $136,500 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $273,000.

Sample Schools

Indianapolis

Park Tudor School

Independent · PK–12 · $24,200-$26,800/yr

Brebeuf Jesuit Preparatory School

Catholic · 9–12 · $17,800/yr

Bishop Chatard High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $13,200/yr

Cathedral High School (Indianapolis)

Catholic · 9–12 · $14,800/yr

Springfield

Cathedral High School (Springfield MA)

Catholic · 9–12 · $12,200/yr

The MacDuffie School

Independent · 6–12 · $38,400/yr

Full Indianapolis breakdown → Full Springfield breakdown →

Indiana private school costs Massachusetts private school costs

Related Comparisons

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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.