Is private school cheaper in Manchester or Waterbury?

Manchester has lower average private school tuition at $18,200/year vs $20,500/year in Waterbury. That's $2,300/year less, or $29,900 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Manchester is $2,300/year less than Waterbury. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $29,900 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $10,400/year in Manchester, $11,300/year in Waterbury.

How do Manchester and Waterbury 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). Waterbury averages $20,500/year ($8,150 above average).

Private School Cost: Manchester vs Waterbury

Manchester averages $2,300/year less for private school (13% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $29,900 per child.

Bottom Line

Manchester is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $18,200/year vs $20,500/year in Waterbury. Religious schools run $10,400/year on the low end.

Manchester

$18,200

avg tuition/year

$5,850 above national avg

Lower cost

Waterbury

$20,500

avg tuition/year

$8,150 above national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Manchester	Waterbury	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$18,200/yr	$20,500/yr	-$2,300
Religious Schools	$10,400/yr	$11,300/yr	-$900
Independent/Prep	$39,300/yr	$40,800/yr	-$1,500
Elementary (K-5)	$15,500/yr	$17,400/yr	-$1,900
Middle School (6-8)	$18,200/yr	$20,500/yr	-$2,300
High School (9-12)	$21,800/yr	$24,600/yr	-$2,800

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Manchester

$236,600

Waterbury

$266,500

Choosing Manchester saves $29,900 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $59,800.

Sample Schools

Manchester

Manchester Central Catholic High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $12,400/yr

Derryfield School (Manchester NH)

Independent · 6–12 · $27,400/yr

Waterbury

Holy Cross High School (Waterbury)

Catholic · 9–12 · $14,800/yr

Crosby High School (Waterbury)

Independent · 9–12 · $9,800/yr

Full Manchester breakdown → Full Waterbury breakdown →

New Hampshire private school costs Connecticut 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.