Is private school cheaper in Lowell or Macon?

Macon has lower average private school tuition at $9,600/year vs $23,600/year in Lowell. That's $14,000/year less, or $182,000 over a K-12 career.

How much can I save on private school by choosing Macon over Lowell?

Average tuition in Macon is $14,000/year less than Lowell. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $182,000 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $12,800/year in Lowell, $6,600/year in Macon.

How do Lowell and Macon private school costs compare to the national average?

The national average private school tuition is $12,350/year. Lowell averages $23,600/year ($11,250 above average). Macon averages $9,600/year ($2,750 below average).

Private School Cost: Lowell vs Macon

Macon averages $14,000/year less for private school (146% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $182,000 per child.

Bottom Line

Macon is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $9,600/year vs $23,600/year in Lowell. Religious schools run $6,600/year on the low end.

Lowell

$23,600

avg tuition/year

$11,250 above national avg

Macon

$9,600

avg tuition/year

$2,750 below national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Lowell	Macon	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$23,600/yr	$9,600/yr	+$14,000
Religious Schools	$12,800/yr	$6,600/yr	+$6,200
Independent/Prep	$48,100/yr	$19,400/yr	+$28,700
Elementary (K-5)	$20,100/yr	$8,200/yr	+$11,900
Middle School (6-8)	$23,600/yr	$9,600/yr	+$14,000
High School (9-12)	$28,300/yr	$11,500/yr	+$16,800

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Lowell

$306,800

Macon

$124,800

Choosing Macon saves $182,000 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $364,000.

Sample Schools

Lowell

Lowell Catholic High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $12,400/yr

St. Michael Academy (Lowell)

Catholic · K–8 · $10,800-$12,800/yr

Macon

Stratford Academy (Macon)

Independent · PK–12 · $16,400/yr

Mount de Sales Academy

Catholic · PK–12 · $10,800/yr

Full Lowell breakdown → Full Macon breakdown →

Massachusetts private school costs Georgia 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.