Is private school cheaper in Lowell or Minneapolis?

Minneapolis has lower average private school tuition at $15,000/year vs $23,600/year in Lowell. That's $8,600/year less, or $111,800 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Minneapolis is $8,600/year less than Lowell. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $111,800 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $12,800/year in Lowell, $9,200/year in Minneapolis.

How do Lowell and Minneapolis 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). Minneapolis averages $15,000/year ($2,650 above average).

Private School Cost: Lowell vs Minneapolis

Minneapolis averages $8,600/year less for private school (57% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $111,800 per child.

Bottom Line

Minneapolis is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $15,000/year vs $23,600/year in Lowell. Religious schools run $9,200/year on the low end.

Lowell

$23,600

avg tuition/year

$11,250 above national avg

Minneapolis

$15,000

avg tuition/year

$2,650 above national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Lowell	Minneapolis	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$23,600/yr	$15,000/yr	+$8,600
Religious Schools	$12,800/yr	$9,200/yr	+$3,600
Independent/Prep	$48,100/yr	$27,500/yr	+$20,600
Elementary (K-5)	$20,100/yr	$12,200/yr	+$7,900
Middle School (6-8)	$23,600/yr	$15,000/yr	+$8,600
High School (9-12)	$28,300/yr	$18,500/yr	+$9,800

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Lowell

$306,800

Minneapolis

$195,000

Choosing Minneapolis saves $111,800 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $223,600.

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

Minneapolis

Blake School

Independent · PK–12 · $34,800-$37,200/yr

Breck School

Independent · PK–12 · $28,400/yr

Minnehaha Academy

Christian · PK–12 · $16,200-$17,800/yr

De La Salle High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $15,800/yr

Full Lowell breakdown → Full Minneapolis breakdown →

Massachusetts private school costs Minnesota 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.