Is private school cheaper in Lafayette or New Orleans?

Lafayette has lower average private school tuition at $6,200/year vs $11,800/year in New Orleans. That's $5,600/year less, or $72,800 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Lafayette is $5,600/year less than New Orleans. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $72,800 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $4,600/year in Lafayette, $7,600/year in New Orleans.

How do Lafayette and New Orleans 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). New Orleans averages $11,800/year ($550 below average).

Private School Cost: Lafayette vs New Orleans

Lafayette averages $5,600/year less for private school (90% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $72,800 per child.

Bottom Line

Lafayette is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $6,200/year vs $11,800/year in New Orleans. Religious schools run $4,600/year on the low end.

Lafayette

$6,200

avg tuition/year

$6,150 below national avg

Lower cost

New Orleans

$11,800

avg tuition/year

$550 below national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Lafayette	New Orleans	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$6,200/yr	$11,800/yr	-$5,600
Religious Schools	$4,600/yr	$7,600/yr	-$3,000
Independent/Prep	$14,900/yr	$22,000/yr	-$7,100
Elementary (K-5)	$5,300/yr	$9,600/yr	-$4,300
Middle School (6-8)	$6,200/yr	$11,800/yr	-$5,600
High School (9-12)	$7,400/yr	$14,600/yr	-$7,200

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Lafayette

$80,600

New Orleans

$153,400

Choosing Lafayette saves $72,800 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $145,600.

Sample Schools

Lafayette

Teurlings Catholic High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $9,600/yr

Ascension Episcopal School (Lafayette)

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

New Orleans

Tulane-affiliated University Schools

Independent · PK–12 · $21,400-$23,800/yr

Jesuit High School New Orleans

Catholic · 9–12 · $15,400/yr

Ursuline Academy (New Orleans)

Catholic · 6–12 · $13,200/yr

Brother Martin High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $12,800/yr

Full Lafayette breakdown → Full New Orleans breakdown →

Louisiana 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.