Is private school cheaper in Little Rock or New York City?

Little Rock has lower average private school tuition at $6,600/year vs $38,500/year in New York City. That's $31,900/year less, or $414,700 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Little Rock is $31,900/year less than New York City. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $414,700 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $5,000/year in Little Rock, $17,500/year in New York City.

How do Little Rock and New York City 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 York City averages $38,500/year ($26,150 above average).

Private School Cost: Little Rock vs New York City

Little Rock averages $31,900/year less for private school (483% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $414,700 per child.

Bottom Line

Little Rock is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $6,600/year vs $38,500/year in New York City. 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 York City

$38,500

avg tuition/year

$26,150 above national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Little Rock	New York City	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$6,600/yr	$38,500/yr	-$31,900
Religious Schools	$5,000/yr	$17,500/yr	-$12,500
Independent/Prep	$13,100/yr	$58,000/yr	-$44,900
Elementary (K-5)	$5,600/yr	$32,000/yr	-$26,400
Middle School (6-8)	$6,600/yr	$38,500/yr	-$31,900
High School (9-12)	$7,900/yr	$48,000/yr	-$40,100

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Little Rock

$85,800

New York City

$500,500

Choosing Little Rock saves $414,700 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $829,400.

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 York City

Dalton School

Independent · K–12 · $60,310/yr

Trinity School NYC

Independent · K–12 · $59,900/yr

Horace Mann School

Independent · K–12 · $59,200/yr

Regis High School

Catholic (tuition-free) · 9–12

Full Little Rock breakdown → Full New York City breakdown →

Arkansas private school costs New York private school costs

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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.