Is private school cheaper in Lowell or Riverside?

Riverside has lower average private school tuition at $14,900/year vs $23,600/year in Lowell. That's $8,700/year less, or $113,100 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Riverside is $8,700/year less than Lowell. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $113,100 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $12,800/year in Lowell, $9,700/year in Riverside.

How do Lowell and Riverside 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). Riverside averages $14,900/year ($2,550 above average).

Private School Cost: Lowell vs Riverside

Riverside averages $8,700/year less for private school (58% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $113,100 per child.

Bottom Line

Riverside is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $14,900/year vs $23,600/year in Lowell. Religious schools run $9,700/year on the low end.

Lowell

$23,600

avg tuition/year

$11,250 above national avg

Riverside

$14,900

avg tuition/year

$2,550 above national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Lowell	Riverside	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$23,600/yr	$14,900/yr	+$8,700
Religious Schools	$12,800/yr	$9,700/yr	+$3,100
Independent/Prep	$48,100/yr	$29,000/yr	+$19,100
Elementary (K-5)	$20,100/yr	$12,700/yr	+$7,400
Middle School (6-8)	$23,600/yr	$14,900/yr	+$8,700
High School (9-12)	$28,300/yr	$17,900/yr	+$10,400

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Lowell

$306,800

Riverside

$193,700

Choosing Riverside saves $113,100 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $226,200.

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

Riverside

Notre Dame High School (Riverside)

Catholic · 9–12 · $17,800/yr

Riverside Christian School

Christian · K–12 · $9,200-$11,400/yr

Full Lowell breakdown → Full Riverside breakdown →

Massachusetts private school costs California 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.