Is private school cheaper in Lowell or Seattle?

Lowell has lower average private school tuition at $23,600/year vs $24,500/year in Seattle. That's $900/year less, or $11,700 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Lowell is $900/year less than Seattle. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $11,700 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $12,800/year in Lowell, $13,200/year in Seattle.

How do Lowell and Seattle 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). Seattle averages $24,500/year ($12,150 above average).

Private School Cost: Lowell vs Seattle

Lowell averages $900/year less for private school (4% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $11,700 per child.

Bottom Line

Lowell is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $23,600/year vs $24,500/year in Seattle. Religious schools run $12,800/year on the low end.

Lowell

$23,600

avg tuition/year

$11,250 above national avg

Lower cost

Seattle

$24,500

avg tuition/year

$12,150 above national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Lowell	Seattle	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$23,600/yr	$24,500/yr	-$900
Religious Schools	$12,800/yr	$13,200/yr	-$400
Independent/Prep	$48,100/yr	$38,000/yr	+$10,100
Elementary (K-5)	$20,100/yr	$20,000/yr	+$100
Middle School (6-8)	$23,600/yr	$24,500/yr	-$900
High School (9-12)	$28,300/yr	$30,500/yr	-$2,200

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Lowell

$306,800

Seattle

$318,500

Choosing Lowell saves $11,700 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $23,400.

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

Seattle

University Prep

Independent · 6–12 · $42,800/yr

Northwest School

Independent · 6–12 · $39,400/yr

Seattle Prep

Catholic · 9–12 · $21,200/yr

O'Dea High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $17,800/yr

Full Lowell breakdown → Full Seattle breakdown →

Massachusetts private school costs Washington private school costs

Related Comparisons

Seattle vs Portland → Seattle vs Denver →

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.