Is private school cheaper in Jersey City or Tacoma?

Tacoma has lower average private school tuition at $13,700/year vs $20,900/year in Jersey City. That's $7,200/year less, or $93,600 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Tacoma is $7,200/year less than Jersey City. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $93,600 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $13,500/year in Jersey City, $9,400/year in Tacoma.

How do Jersey City and Tacoma 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). Tacoma averages $13,700/year ($1,350 above average).

Private School Cost: Jersey City vs Tacoma

Tacoma averages $7,200/year less for private school (53% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $93,600 per child.

Bottom Line

Tacoma is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $13,700/year vs $20,900/year in Jersey City. Religious schools run $9,400/year on the low end.

Jersey City

$20,900

avg tuition/year

$8,550 above national avg

Tacoma

$13,700

avg tuition/year

$1,350 above national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Jersey City	Tacoma	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$20,900/yr	$13,700/yr	+$7,200
Religious Schools	$13,500/yr	$9,400/yr	+$4,100
Independent/Prep	$44,800/yr	$29,400/yr	+$15,400
Elementary (K-5)	$17,800/yr	$11,600/yr	+$6,200
Middle School (6-8)	$20,900/yr	$13,700/yr	+$7,200
High School (9-12)	$25,100/yr	$16,400/yr	+$8,700

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Jersey City

$271,700

Tacoma

$178,100

Choosing Tacoma saves $93,600 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $187,200.

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

Tacoma

Charles Wright Academy

Independent · PK–12 · $28,400/yr

Bellarmine Preparatory School

Catholic · 9–12 · $18,400/yr

Full Jersey City breakdown → Full Tacoma breakdown →

New Jersey private school costs Washington 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.