Is private school cheaper in Lowell or Salem?

Salem has lower average private school tuition at $12,400/year vs $23,600/year in Lowell. That's $11,200/year less, or $145,600 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Salem is $11,200/year less than Lowell. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $145,600 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $12,800/year in Lowell, $8,400/year in Salem.

How do Lowell and Salem 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). Salem averages $12,400/year ($50 above average).

Private School Cost: Lowell vs Salem

Salem averages $11,200/year less for private school (90% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $145,600 per child.

Bottom Line

Salem is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $12,400/year vs $23,600/year in Lowell. Religious schools run $8,400/year on the low end.

Lowell

$23,600

avg tuition/year

$11,250 above national avg

Salem

$12,400

avg tuition/year

$50 above national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Lowell	Salem	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$23,600/yr	$12,400/yr	+$11,200
Religious Schools	$12,800/yr	$8,400/yr	+$4,400
Independent/Prep	$48,100/yr	$25,000/yr	+$23,100
Elementary (K-5)	$20,100/yr	$10,500/yr	+$9,600
Middle School (6-8)	$23,600/yr	$12,400/yr	+$11,200
High School (9-12)	$28,300/yr	$14,900/yr	+$13,400

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Lowell

$306,800

Salem

$161,200

Choosing Salem saves $145,600 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $291,200.

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

Salem

Salem Academy (OR)

Christian · 9–12 · $14,800/yr

Blanchet Catholic School (Salem)

Catholic · 9–12 · $12,400/yr

Full Lowell breakdown → Full Salem breakdown →

Massachusetts private school costs Oregon 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.