Is private school cheaper in Lafayette or Meridian?

Lafayette has lower average private school tuition at $6,200/year vs $7,800/year in Meridian. That's $1,600/year less, or $20,800 over a K-12 career.

How much can I save on private school by choosing Lafayette over Meridian?

Average tuition in Lafayette is $1,600/year less than Meridian. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $20,800 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $4,600/year in Lafayette, $5,300/year in Meridian.

How do Lafayette and Meridian private school costs compare to the national average?

The national average private school tuition is $12,350/year. Lafayette averages $6,200/year ($6,150 below average). Meridian averages $7,800/year ($4,550 below average).

Private School Cost: Lafayette vs Meridian

Lafayette averages $1,600/year less for private school (26% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $20,800 per child.

Bottom Line

Lafayette is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $6,200/year vs $7,800/year in Meridian. Religious schools run $4,600/year on the low end.

Lafayette

$6,200

avg tuition/year

$6,150 below national avg

Lower cost

Meridian

$7,800

avg tuition/year

$4,550 below national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Lafayette	Meridian	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$6,200/yr	$7,800/yr	-$1,600
Religious Schools	$4,600/yr	$5,300/yr	-$700
Independent/Prep	$14,900/yr	$15,100/yr	-$200
Elementary (K-5)	$5,300/yr	$6,600/yr	-$1,300
Middle School (6-8)	$6,200/yr	$7,800/yr	-$1,600
High School (9-12)	$7,400/yr	$9,400/yr	-$2,000

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Lafayette

$80,600

Meridian

$101,400

Choosing Lafayette saves $20,800 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $41,600.

Sample Schools

Lafayette

Teurlings Catholic High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $9,600/yr

Ascension Episcopal School (Lafayette)

Independent (Episcopal) · PK–12 · $14,800/yr

Meridian

Nampa Christian Schools

Christian · K–12 · $9,200-$11,400/yr

Victory Charter School (Meridian)

Independent · K–12 · $8,400-$10,400/yr

Full Lafayette breakdown → Full Meridian breakdown →

Louisiana private school costs Idaho 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.