Is private school cheaper in Lakewood or South Bend?

South Bend has lower average private school tuition at $7,400/year vs $13,400/year in Lakewood. That's $6,000/year less, or $78,000 over a K-12 career.

How much can I save on private school by choosing South Bend over Lakewood?

Average tuition in South Bend is $6,000/year less than Lakewood. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $78,000 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $8,700/year in Lakewood, $5,500/year in South Bend.

How do Lakewood and South Bend 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). South Bend averages $7,400/year ($4,950 below average).

Private School Cost: Lakewood vs South Bend

South Bend averages $6,000/year less for private school (81% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $78,000 per child.

Bottom Line

South Bend is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $7,400/year vs $13,400/year in Lakewood. Religious schools run $5,500/year on the low end.

Lakewood

$13,400

avg tuition/year

$1,050 above national avg

South Bend

$7,400

avg tuition/year

$4,950 below national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Lakewood	South Bend	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$13,400/yr	$7,400/yr	+$6,000
Religious Schools	$8,700/yr	$5,500/yr	+$3,200
Independent/Prep	$26,500/yr	$15,400/yr	+$11,100
Elementary (K-5)	$11,400/yr	$6,300/yr	+$5,100
Middle School (6-8)	$13,400/yr	$7,400/yr	+$6,000
High School (9-12)	$16,100/yr	$8,900/yr	+$7,200

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Lakewood

$174,200

South Bend

$96,200

Choosing South Bend saves $78,000 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $156,000.

Sample Schools

Lakewood

Colorado Academy (Lakewood area)

Independent · PK–12 · $22,400/yr

Chatfield Christian Academy

Christian · K–12 · $9,800-$12,200/yr

South Bend

Saint Joseph High School (South Bend)

Catholic · 9–12 · $9,600/yr

South Bend STEM Academy

Independent · K–12 · $9,200-$11,400/yr

Full Lakewood breakdown → Full South Bend breakdown →

Colorado private school costs Indiana 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.