Is private school cheaper in Lowell or Washington DC?

Lowell has lower average private school tuition at $23,600/year vs $28,400/year in Washington DC. That's $4,800/year less, or $62,400 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Lowell is $4,800/year less than Washington DC. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $62,400 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $12,800/year in Lowell, $15,200/year in Washington DC.

How do Lowell and Washington DC 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). Washington DC averages $28,400/year ($16,050 above average).

Private School Cost: Lowell vs Washington DC

Lowell averages $4,800/year less for private school (20% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $62,400 per child.

Bottom Line

Lowell is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $23,600/year vs $28,400/year in Washington DC. Religious schools run $12,800/year on the low end.

Lowell

$23,600

avg tuition/year

$11,250 above national avg

Lower cost

Washington DC

$28,400

avg tuition/year

$16,050 above national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Lowell	Washington DC	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$23,600/yr	$28,400/yr	-$4,800
Religious Schools	$12,800/yr	$15,200/yr	-$2,400
Independent/Prep	$48,100/yr	$46,000/yr	+$2,100
Elementary (K-5)	$20,100/yr	$23,000/yr	-$2,900
Middle School (6-8)	$23,600/yr	$28,400/yr	-$4,800
High School (9-12)	$28,300/yr	$35,500/yr	-$7,200

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Lowell

$306,800

Washington DC

$369,200

Choosing Lowell saves $62,400 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $124,800.

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

Washington DC

Sidwell Friends School

Independent (Quaker) · PK–12 · $52,900/yr

Georgetown Day School

Independent · PK–12 · $51,400/yr

National Cathedral School

Independent · 4–12 · $50,200/yr

Gonzaga College High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $25,400/yr

Full Lowell breakdown → Full Washington DC breakdown →

Massachusetts private school costs District of Columbia private school costs

Related Comparisons

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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.