Is private school cheaper in Los Angeles or Waterbury?

Waterbury has lower average private school tuition at $20,500/year vs $26,800/year in Los Angeles. That's $6,300/year less, or $81,900 over a K-12 career.

How much can I save on private school by choosing Waterbury over Los Angeles?

Average tuition in Waterbury is $6,300/year less than Los Angeles. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $81,900 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $13,500/year in Los Angeles, $11,300/year in Waterbury.

How do Los Angeles and Waterbury private school costs compare to the national average?

The national average private school tuition is $12,350/year. Los Angeles averages $26,800/year ($14,450 above average). Waterbury averages $20,500/year ($8,150 above average).

Private School Cost: Los Angeles vs Waterbury

Waterbury averages $6,300/year less for private school (31% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $81,900 per child.

Bottom Line

Waterbury is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $20,500/year vs $26,800/year in Los Angeles. Religious schools run $11,300/year on the low end.

Los Angeles

$26,800

avg tuition/year

$14,450 above national avg

Waterbury

$20,500

avg tuition/year

$8,150 above national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Los Angeles	Waterbury	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$26,800/yr	$20,500/yr	+$6,300
Religious Schools	$13,500/yr	$11,300/yr	+$2,200
Independent/Prep	$42,000/yr	$40,800/yr	+$1,200
Elementary (K-5)	$22,000/yr	$17,400/yr	+$4,600
Middle School (6-8)	$26,800/yr	$20,500/yr	+$6,300
High School (9-12)	$32,000/yr	$24,600/yr	+$7,400

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Los Angeles

$348,400

Waterbury

$266,500

Choosing Waterbury saves $81,900 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $163,800.

Sample Schools

Los Angeles

Harvard-Westlake School

Independent · 7–12 · $47,890/yr

Crossroads School for Arts & Sciences

Independent · K–12 · $44,370/yr

Marlborough School

Independent · 7–12 · $44,800/yr

St. Monica Catholic School

Catholic · K–8 · $9,200-$11,400/yr

Waterbury

Holy Cross High School (Waterbury)

Catholic · 9–12 · $14,800/yr

Crosby High School (Waterbury)

Independent · 9–12 · $9,800/yr

Full Los Angeles breakdown → Full Waterbury breakdown →

California private school costs Connecticut private school costs

Related Comparisons

Los Angeles vs San Francisco → Los Angeles vs San Diego → Los Angeles vs San Jose → Irvine vs Los Angeles →

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.