Is private school cheaper in Lafayette or Salem?

Lafayette has lower average private school tuition at $6,200/year vs $12,400/year in Salem. That's $6,200/year less, or $80,600 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Lafayette is $6,200/year less than Salem. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $80,600 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $4,600/year in Lafayette, $8,400/year in Salem.

How do Lafayette and Salem 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). Salem averages $12,400/year ($50 above average).

Private School Cost: Lafayette vs Salem

Lafayette averages $6,200/year less for private school (100% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $80,600 per child.

Bottom Line

Lafayette is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $6,200/year vs $12,400/year in Salem. Religious schools run $4,600/year on the low end.

Lafayette

$6,200

avg tuition/year

$6,150 below national avg

Lower cost

Salem

$12,400

avg tuition/year

$50 above national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Lafayette	Salem	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$6,200/yr	$12,400/yr	-$6,200
Religious Schools	$4,600/yr	$8,400/yr	-$3,800
Independent/Prep	$14,900/yr	$25,000/yr	-$10,100
Elementary (K-5)	$5,300/yr	$10,500/yr	-$5,200
Middle School (6-8)	$6,200/yr	$12,400/yr	-$6,200
High School (9-12)	$7,400/yr	$14,900/yr	-$7,500

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Lafayette

$80,600

Salem

$161,200

Choosing Lafayette saves $80,600 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $161,200.

Sample Schools

Lafayette

Teurlings Catholic High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $9,600/yr

Ascension Episcopal School (Lafayette)

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

Salem

Salem Academy (OR)

Christian · 9–12 · $14,800/yr

Blanchet Catholic School (Salem)

Catholic · 9–12 · $12,400/yr

Full Lafayette breakdown → Full Salem breakdown →

Louisiana private school costs Oregon 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.