Is private school cheaper in Lowell or Simi Valley?

Simi Valley has lower average private school tuition at $17,200/year vs $23,600/year in Lowell. That's $6,400/year less, or $83,200 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Simi Valley is $6,400/year less than Lowell. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $83,200 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $12,800/year in Lowell, $11,200/year in Simi Valley.

How do Lowell and Simi Valley 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). Simi Valley averages $17,200/year ($4,850 above average).

Private School Cost: Lowell vs Simi Valley

Simi Valley averages $6,400/year less for private school (37% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $83,200 per child.

Bottom Line

Simi Valley is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $17,200/year vs $23,600/year in Lowell. Religious schools run $11,200/year on the low end.

Lowell

$23,600

avg tuition/year

$11,250 above national avg

Simi Valley

$17,200

avg tuition/year

$4,850 above national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Lowell	Simi Valley	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$23,600/yr	$17,200/yr	+$6,400
Religious Schools	$12,800/yr	$11,200/yr	+$1,600
Independent/Prep	$48,100/yr	$33,600/yr	+$14,500
Elementary (K-5)	$20,100/yr	$14,600/yr	+$5,500
Middle School (6-8)	$23,600/yr	$17,200/yr	+$6,400
High School (9-12)	$28,300/yr	$20,600/yr	+$7,700

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Lowell

$306,800

Simi Valley

$223,600

Choosing Simi Valley saves $83,200 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $166,400.

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

Simi Valley

Notre Dame High School (Sherman Oaks)

Catholic · 9–12 · $21,400/yr

Simi Valley Christian School

Christian · K–12 · $9,200-$11,400/yr

Full Lowell breakdown → Full Simi Valley 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.