Is private school cheaper in Little Rock or Waterbury?

Little Rock has lower average private school tuition at $6,600/year vs $20,500/year in Waterbury. That's $13,900/year less, or $180,700 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Little Rock is $13,900/year less than Waterbury. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $180,700 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $5,000/year in Little Rock, $11,300/year in Waterbury.

How do Little Rock and Waterbury 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). Waterbury averages $20,500/year ($8,150 above average).

Private School Cost: Little Rock vs Waterbury

Little Rock averages $13,900/year less for private school (211% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $180,700 per child.

Bottom Line

Little Rock is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $6,600/year vs $20,500/year in Waterbury. Religious schools run $5,000/year on the low end.

Little Rock

$6,600

avg tuition/year

$5,750 below national avg

Lower cost

Waterbury

$20,500

avg tuition/year

$8,150 above national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Little Rock	Waterbury	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$6,600/yr	$20,500/yr	-$13,900
Religious Schools	$5,000/yr	$11,300/yr	-$6,300
Independent/Prep	$13,100/yr	$40,800/yr	-$27,700
Elementary (K-5)	$5,600/yr	$17,400/yr	-$11,800
Middle School (6-8)	$6,600/yr	$20,500/yr	-$13,900
High School (9-12)	$7,900/yr	$24,600/yr	-$16,700

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Little Rock

$85,800

Waterbury

$266,500

Choosing Little Rock saves $180,700 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $361,400.

Sample Schools

Little Rock

Pulaski Academy (Little Rock)

Independent · PK–12 · $11,800/yr

Mount St. Mary Academy

Catholic · 9–12 · $11,200/yr

Waterbury

Holy Cross High School (Waterbury)

Catholic · 9–12 · $14,800/yr

Crosby High School (Waterbury)

Independent · 9–12 · $9,800/yr

Full Little Rock breakdown → Full Waterbury breakdown →

Arkansas private school costs Connecticut 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.