Is private school cheaper in Lowell or Springfield?

Springfield has lower average private school tuition at $22,500/year vs $23,600/year in Lowell. That's $1,100/year less, or $14,300 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Springfield is $1,100/year less than Lowell. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $14,300 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $12,800/year in Lowell, $12,200/year in Springfield.

How do Lowell and Springfield 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). Springfield averages $22,500/year ($10,150 above average).

Private School Cost: Lowell vs Springfield

Springfield averages $1,100/year less for private school (5% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $14,300 per child.

Bottom Line

Springfield is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $22,500/year vs $23,600/year in Lowell. Religious schools run $12,200/year on the low end.

Lowell

$23,600

avg tuition/year

$11,250 above national avg

Springfield

$22,500

avg tuition/year

$10,150 above national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Lowell	Springfield	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$23,600/yr	$22,500/yr	+$1,100
Religious Schools	$12,800/yr	$12,200/yr	+$600
Independent/Prep	$48,100/yr	$45,800/yr	+$2,300
Elementary (K-5)	$20,100/yr	$19,100/yr	+$1,000
Middle School (6-8)	$23,600/yr	$22,500/yr	+$1,100
High School (9-12)	$28,300/yr	$27,000/yr	+$1,300

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Lowell

$306,800

Springfield

$292,500

Choosing Springfield saves $14,300 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $28,600.

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

Springfield

Cathedral High School (Springfield MA)

Catholic · 9–12 · $12,200/yr

The MacDuffie School

Independent · 6–12 · $38,400/yr

Full Lowell breakdown → Full Springfield breakdown →

Massachusetts 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.