Is private school cheaper in Lowell or South Bend?

South Bend has lower average private school tuition at $7,400/year vs $23,600/year in Lowell. That's $16,200/year less, or $210,600 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in South Bend is $16,200/year less than Lowell. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $210,600 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $12,800/year in Lowell, $5,500/year in South Bend.

How do Lowell and South Bend 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). South Bend averages $7,400/year ($4,950 below average).

Private School Cost: Lowell vs South Bend

South Bend averages $16,200/year less for private school (219% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $210,600 per child.

Bottom Line

South Bend is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $7,400/year vs $23,600/year in Lowell. Religious schools run $5,500/year on the low end.

Lowell

$23,600

avg tuition/year

$11,250 above national avg

South Bend

$7,400

avg tuition/year

$4,950 below national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Lowell	South Bend	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$23,600/yr	$7,400/yr	+$16,200
Religious Schools	$12,800/yr	$5,500/yr	+$7,300
Independent/Prep	$48,100/yr	$15,400/yr	+$32,700
Elementary (K-5)	$20,100/yr	$6,300/yr	+$13,800
Middle School (6-8)	$23,600/yr	$7,400/yr	+$16,200
High School (9-12)	$28,300/yr	$8,900/yr	+$19,400

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Lowell

$306,800

South Bend

$96,200

Choosing South Bend saves $210,600 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $421,200.

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

South Bend

Saint Joseph High School (South Bend)

Catholic · 9–12 · $9,600/yr

South Bend STEM Academy

Independent · K–12 · $9,200-$11,400/yr

Full Lowell breakdown → Full South Bend breakdown →

Massachusetts private school costs Indiana 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.