Is private school cheaper in Little Rock or New Orleans?

Little Rock has lower average private school tuition at $6,600/year vs $11,800/year in New Orleans. That's $5,200/year less, or $67,600 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Little Rock is $5,200/year less than New Orleans. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $67,600 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $5,000/year in Little Rock, $7,600/year in New Orleans.

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

The national average private school tuition is $12,350/year. Little Rock averages $6,600/year ($5,750 below average). New Orleans averages $11,800/year ($550 below average).

Private School Cost: Little Rock vs New Orleans

Little Rock averages $5,200/year less for private school (79% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $67,600 per child.

Bottom Line

Little Rock is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $6,600/year vs $11,800/year in New Orleans. Religious schools run $5,000/year on the low end.

Little Rock

$6,600

avg tuition/year

$5,750 below national avg

Lower cost

New Orleans

$11,800

avg tuition/year

$550 below national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Little Rock	New Orleans	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$6,600/yr	$11,800/yr	-$5,200
Religious Schools	$5,000/yr	$7,600/yr	-$2,600
Independent/Prep	$13,100/yr	$22,000/yr	-$8,900
Elementary (K-5)	$5,600/yr	$9,600/yr	-$4,000
Middle School (6-8)	$6,600/yr	$11,800/yr	-$5,200
High School (9-12)	$7,900/yr	$14,600/yr	-$6,700

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Little Rock

$85,800

New Orleans

$153,400

Choosing Little Rock saves $67,600 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $135,200.

Sample Schools

Little Rock

Pulaski Academy (Little Rock)

Independent · PK–12 · $11,800/yr

Mount St. Mary Academy

Catholic · 9–12 · $11,200/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 Little Rock breakdown → Full New Orleans breakdown →

Arkansas private school costs 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.