Is private school cheaper in Manchester or Stockton?

Stockton has lower average private school tuition at $13,800/year vs $18,200/year in Manchester. That's $4,400/year less, or $57,200 over a K-12 career.

How much can I save on private school by choosing Stockton over Manchester?

Average tuition in Stockton is $4,400/year less than Manchester. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $57,200 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $10,400/year in Manchester, $9,000/year in Stockton.

How do Manchester and Stockton private school costs compare to the national average?

The national average private school tuition is $12,350/year. Manchester averages $18,200/year ($5,850 above average). Stockton averages $13,800/year ($1,450 above average).

Private School Cost: Manchester vs Stockton

Stockton averages $4,400/year less for private school (32% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $57,200 per child.

Bottom Line

Stockton is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $13,800/year vs $18,200/year in Manchester. Religious schools run $9,000/year on the low end.

Manchester

$18,200

avg tuition/year

$5,850 above national avg

Stockton

$13,800

avg tuition/year

$1,450 above national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Manchester	Stockton	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$18,200/yr	$13,800/yr	+$4,400
Religious Schools	$10,400/yr	$9,000/yr	+$1,400
Independent/Prep	$39,300/yr	$26,800/yr	+$12,500
Elementary (K-5)	$15,500/yr	$11,700/yr	+$3,800
Middle School (6-8)	$18,200/yr	$13,800/yr	+$4,400
High School (9-12)	$21,800/yr	$16,600/yr	+$5,200

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Manchester

$236,600

Stockton

$179,400

Choosing Stockton saves $57,200 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $114,400.

Sample Schools

Manchester

Manchester Central Catholic High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $12,400/yr

Derryfield School (Manchester NH)

Independent · 6–12 · $27,400/yr

Stockton

St. Mary's High School (Stockton)

Catholic · 9–12 · $14,200/yr

Stockton Christian School

Christian · PK–12 · $8,600-$10,200/yr

Full Manchester breakdown → Full Stockton breakdown →

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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.