Is private school cheaper in Jersey City or Paterson?

Paterson has lower average private school tuition at $18,100/year vs $20,900/year in Jersey City. That's $2,800/year less, or $36,400 over a K-12 career.

How much can I save on private school by choosing Paterson over Jersey City?

Average tuition in Paterson is $2,800/year less than Jersey City. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $36,400 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $13,500/year in Jersey City, $11,700/year in Paterson.

How do Jersey City and Paterson private school costs compare to the national average?

The national average private school tuition is $12,350/year. Jersey City averages $20,900/year ($8,550 above average). Paterson averages $18,100/year ($5,750 above average).

Private School Cost: Jersey City vs Paterson

Paterson averages $2,800/year less for private school (15% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $36,400 per child.

Bottom Line

Paterson is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $18,100/year vs $20,900/year in Jersey City. Religious schools run $11,700/year on the low end.

Jersey City

$20,900

avg tuition/year

$8,550 above national avg

Paterson

$18,100

avg tuition/year

$5,750 above national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Jersey City	Paterson	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$20,900/yr	$18,100/yr	+$2,800
Religious Schools	$13,500/yr	$11,700/yr	+$1,800
Independent/Prep	$44,800/yr	$38,700/yr	+$6,100
Elementary (K-5)	$17,800/yr	$15,400/yr	+$2,400
Middle School (6-8)	$20,900/yr	$18,100/yr	+$2,800
High School (9-12)	$25,100/yr	$21,700/yr	+$3,400

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Jersey City

$271,700

Paterson

$235,300

Choosing Paterson saves $36,400 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $72,800.

Sample Schools

Jersey City

Hudson Catholic Regional High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $14,800/yr

Saint Aloysius Academy (Jersey City)

Catholic · K–8 · $10,800-$12,800/yr

Paterson

Paramus Catholic High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $15,800/yr

St. Philip the Apostle School

Catholic · K–8 · $10,200-$12,400/yr

Full Jersey City breakdown → Full Paterson breakdown →

New Jersey 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.