Is private school cheaper in New Orleans or Portland?

New Orleans has lower average private school tuition at $11,800/year vs $18,200/year in Portland. That's $6,400/year less, or $83,200 over a K-12 career.

How much can I save on private school by choosing New Orleans over Portland?

Average tuition in New Orleans is $6,400/year less than Portland. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $83,200 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $7,600/year in New Orleans, $10,400/year in Portland.

How do New Orleans and Portland private school costs compare to the national average?

The national average private school tuition is $12,350/year. New Orleans averages $11,800/year ($550 below average). Portland averages $18,200/year ($5,850 above average).

Private School Cost: New Orleans vs Portland

New Orleans averages $6,400/year less for private school (54% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $83,200 per child.

Bottom Line

New Orleans is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $11,800/year vs $18,200/year in Portland. Religious schools run $7,600/year on the low end.

New Orleans

$11,800

avg tuition/year

$550 below national avg

Lower cost

Portland

$18,200

avg tuition/year

$5,850 above national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	New Orleans	Portland	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$11,800/yr	$18,200/yr	-$6,400
Religious Schools	$7,600/yr	$10,400/yr	-$2,800
Independent/Prep	$22,000/yr	$31,500/yr	-$9,500
Elementary (K-5)	$9,600/yr	$14,800/yr	-$5,200
Middle School (6-8)	$11,800/yr	$18,200/yr	-$6,400
High School (9-12)	$14,600/yr	$22,500/yr	-$7,900

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

New Orleans

$153,400

Portland

$236,600

Choosing New Orleans saves $83,200 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $166,400.

Sample Schools

New Orleans

Tulane-affiliated University Schools

Independent · PK–12 · $21,400-$23,800/yr

Jesuit High School New Orleans

Catholic · 9–12 · $15,400/yr

Ursuline Academy (New Orleans)

Catholic · 6–12 · $13,200/yr

Brother Martin High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $12,800/yr

Portland

Catlin Gabel School

Independent · PK–12 · $38,400-$41,200/yr

Oregon Episcopal School

Independent · PK–12 · $34,800/yr

Jesuit High School (Portland)

Catholic · 9–12 · $19,200/yr

Central Catholic High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $14,800/yr

Full New Orleans breakdown → Full Portland breakdown →

Louisiana private school costs Oregon private school costs

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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.