Is private school cheaper in Lakeland or Little Rock?

Little Rock has lower average private school tuition at $6,600/year vs $9,600/year in Lakeland. That's $3,000/year less, or $39,000 over a K-12 career.

How much can I save on private school by choosing Little Rock over Lakeland?

Average tuition in Little Rock is $3,000/year less than Lakeland. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $39,000 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $6,600/year in Lakeland, $5,000/year in Little Rock.

How do Lakeland and Little Rock private school costs compare to the national average?

The national average private school tuition is $12,350/year. Lakeland averages $9,600/year ($2,750 below average). Little Rock averages $6,600/year ($5,750 below average).

Private School Cost: Lakeland vs Little Rock

Little Rock averages $3,000/year less for private school (45% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $39,000 per child.

Bottom Line

Little Rock is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $6,600/year vs $9,600/year in Lakeland. Religious schools run $5,000/year on the low end.

Lakeland

$9,600

avg tuition/year

$2,750 below national avg

Little Rock

$6,600

avg tuition/year

$5,750 below national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Lakeland	Little Rock	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$9,600/yr	$6,600/yr	+$3,000
Religious Schools	$6,600/yr	$5,000/yr	+$1,600
Independent/Prep	$19,800/yr	$13,100/yr	+$6,700
Elementary (K-5)	$8,200/yr	$5,600/yr	+$2,600
Middle School (6-8)	$9,600/yr	$6,600/yr	+$3,000
High School (9-12)	$11,500/yr	$7,900/yr	+$3,600

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Lakeland

$124,800

Little Rock

$85,800

Choosing Little Rock saves $39,000 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $78,000.

Sample Schools

Lakeland

All Saints Academy (Lakeland)

Catholic · PK–12 · $13,800/yr

Victory Christian School (Lakeland)

Christian · K–12 · $9,400-$11,800/yr

Little Rock

Pulaski Academy (Little Rock)

Independent · PK–12 · $11,800/yr

Mount St. Mary Academy

Catholic · 9–12 · $11,200/yr

Full Lakeland breakdown → Full Little Rock breakdown →

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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.