Is private school cheaper in Lakewood or Little Rock?

Little Rock has lower average private school tuition at $6,600/year vs $13,400/year in Lakewood. That's $6,800/year less, or $88,400 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Little Rock is $6,800/year less than Lakewood. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $88,400 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $8,700/year in Lakewood, $5,000/year in Little Rock.

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

The national average private school tuition is $12,350/year. Lakewood averages $13,400/year ($1,050 above average). Little Rock averages $6,600/year ($5,750 below average).

Private School Cost: Lakewood vs Little Rock

Little Rock averages $6,800/year less for private school (103% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $88,400 per child.

Bottom Line

Little Rock is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $6,600/year vs $13,400/year in Lakewood. Religious schools run $5,000/year on the low end.

Lakewood

$13,400

avg tuition/year

$1,050 above national avg

Little Rock

$6,600

avg tuition/year

$5,750 below national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Lakewood	Little Rock	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$13,400/yr	$6,600/yr	+$6,800
Religious Schools	$8,700/yr	$5,000/yr	+$3,700
Independent/Prep	$26,500/yr	$13,100/yr	+$13,400
Elementary (K-5)	$11,400/yr	$5,600/yr	+$5,800
Middle School (6-8)	$13,400/yr	$6,600/yr	+$6,800
High School (9-12)	$16,100/yr	$7,900/yr	+$8,200

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Lakewood

$174,200

Little Rock

$85,800

Choosing Little Rock saves $88,400 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $176,800.

Sample Schools

Lakewood

Colorado Academy (Lakewood area)

Independent · PK–12 · $22,400/yr

Chatfield Christian Academy

Christian · K–12 · $9,800-$12,200/yr

Little Rock

Pulaski Academy (Little Rock)

Independent · PK–12 · $11,800/yr

Mount St. Mary Academy

Catholic · 9–12 · $11,200/yr

Full Lakewood breakdown → Full Little Rock breakdown →

Colorado private school costs Arkansas 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.