Is private school cheaper in Little Rock or Syracuse?

Little Rock has lower average private school tuition at $6,600/year vs $18,500/year in Syracuse. That's $11,900/year less, or $154,700 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Little Rock is $11,900/year less than Syracuse. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $154,700 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $5,000/year in Little Rock, $10,600/year in Syracuse.

How do Little Rock and Syracuse 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). Syracuse averages $18,500/year ($6,150 above average).

Private School Cost: Little Rock vs Syracuse

Little Rock averages $11,900/year less for private school (180% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $154,700 per child.

Bottom Line

Little Rock is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $6,600/year vs $18,500/year in Syracuse. Religious schools run $5,000/year on the low end.

Little Rock

$6,600

avg tuition/year

$5,750 below national avg

Lower cost

Syracuse

$18,500

avg tuition/year

$6,150 above national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Little Rock	Syracuse	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$6,600/yr	$18,500/yr	-$11,900
Religious Schools	$5,000/yr	$10,600/yr	-$5,600
Independent/Prep	$13,100/yr	$39,400/yr	-$26,300
Elementary (K-5)	$5,600/yr	$15,700/yr	-$10,100
Middle School (6-8)	$6,600/yr	$18,500/yr	-$11,900
High School (9-12)	$7,900/yr	$22,200/yr	-$14,300

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Little Rock

$85,800

Syracuse

$240,500

Choosing Little Rock saves $154,700 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $309,400.

Sample Schools

Little Rock

Pulaski Academy (Little Rock)

Independent · PK–12 · $11,800/yr

Mount St. Mary Academy

Catholic · 9–12 · $11,200/yr

Syracuse

Christian Brothers Academy (Syracuse)

Catholic · 7–12 · $16,200/yr

Bishop Grimes Jr/Sr High School

Catholic · 7–12 · $12,400/yr

Full Little Rock breakdown → Full Syracuse breakdown →

Arkansas private school costs New York 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.