Is private school cheaper in Lowell or Topeka?

Topeka has lower average private school tuition at $6,900/year vs $23,600/year in Lowell. That's $16,700/year less, or $217,100 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Topeka is $16,700/year less than Lowell. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $217,100 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $12,800/year in Lowell, $4,800/year in Topeka.

How do Lowell and Topeka 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). Topeka averages $6,900/year ($5,450 below average).

Private School Cost: Lowell vs Topeka

Topeka averages $16,700/year less for private school (242% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $217,100 per child.

Bottom Line

Topeka is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $6,900/year vs $23,600/year in Lowell. Religious schools run $4,800/year on the low end.

Lowell

$23,600

avg tuition/year

$11,250 above national avg

Topeka

$6,900

avg tuition/year

$5,450 below national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Lowell	Topeka	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$23,600/yr	$6,900/yr	+$16,700
Religious Schools	$12,800/yr	$4,800/yr	+$8,000
Independent/Prep	$48,100/yr	$14,300/yr	+$33,800
Elementary (K-5)	$20,100/yr	$5,900/yr	+$14,200
Middle School (6-8)	$23,600/yr	$6,900/yr	+$16,700
High School (9-12)	$28,300/yr	$8,300/yr	+$20,000

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Lowell

$306,800

Topeka

$89,700

Choosing Topeka saves $217,100 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $434,200.

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

Topeka

Topeka Collegiate School

Independent · K–8 · $12,400/yr

Hayden Catholic High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $9,400/yr

Full Lowell breakdown → Full Topeka breakdown →

Massachusetts private school costs Kansas 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.