Is private school cheaper in New Haven or Riverside?

Riverside has lower average private school tuition at $14,900/year vs $22,400/year in New Haven. That's $7,500/year less, or $97,500 over a K-12 career.

How much can I save on private school by choosing Riverside over New Haven?

Average tuition in Riverside is $7,500/year less than New Haven. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $97,500 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $12,400/year in New Haven, $9,700/year in Riverside.

How do New Haven and Riverside private school costs compare to the national average?

The national average private school tuition is $12,350/year. New Haven averages $22,400/year ($10,050 above average). Riverside averages $14,900/year ($2,550 above average).

Private School Cost: New Haven vs Riverside

Riverside averages $7,500/year less for private school (50% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $97,500 per child.

Bottom Line

Riverside is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $14,900/year vs $22,400/year in New Haven. Religious schools run $9,700/year on the low end.

New Haven

$22,400

avg tuition/year

$10,050 above national avg

Riverside

$14,900

avg tuition/year

$2,550 above national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	New Haven	Riverside	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$22,400/yr	$14,900/yr	+$7,500
Religious Schools	$12,400/yr	$9,700/yr	+$2,700
Independent/Prep	$44,600/yr	$29,000/yr	+$15,600
Elementary (K-5)	$19,000/yr	$12,700/yr	+$6,300
Middle School (6-8)	$22,400/yr	$14,900/yr	+$7,500
High School (9-12)	$26,900/yr	$17,900/yr	+$9,000

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

New Haven

$291,200

Riverside

$193,700

Choosing Riverside saves $97,500 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $195,000.

Sample Schools

New Haven

Hopkins School (New Haven)

Independent · 7–12 · $43,200/yr

Sacred Heart Academy (Hamden)

Catholic · 9–12 · $18,400/yr

Riverside

Notre Dame High School (Riverside)

Catholic · 9–12 · $17,800/yr

Riverside Christian School

Christian · K–12 · $9,200-$11,400/yr

Full New Haven breakdown → Full Riverside breakdown →

Connecticut private school costs California 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.