Is private school cheaper in New Orleans or Providence?

New Orleans has lower average private school tuition at $11,800/year vs $22,000/year in Providence. That's $10,200/year less, or $132,600 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in New Orleans is $10,200/year less than Providence. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $132,600 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $7,600/year in New Orleans, $12,400/year in Providence.

How do New Orleans and Providence 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). Providence averages $22,000/year ($9,650 above average).

Private School Cost: New Orleans vs Providence

New Orleans averages $10,200/year less for private school (86% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $132,600 per child.

Bottom Line

New Orleans is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $11,800/year vs $22,000/year in Providence. Religious schools run $7,600/year on the low end.

New Orleans

$11,800

avg tuition/year

$550 below national avg

Lower cost

Providence

$22,000

avg tuition/year

$9,650 above national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	New Orleans	Providence	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$11,800/yr	$22,000/yr	-$10,200
Religious Schools	$7,600/yr	$12,400/yr	-$4,800
Independent/Prep	$22,000/yr	$36,000/yr	-$14,000
Elementary (K-5)	$9,600/yr	$18,000/yr	-$8,400
Middle School (6-8)	$11,800/yr	$22,000/yr	-$10,200
High School (9-12)	$14,600/yr	$27,500/yr	-$12,900

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

New Orleans

$153,400

Providence

$286,000

Choosing New Orleans saves $132,600 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $265,200.

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

Providence

Moses Brown School

Independent (Quaker) · PK–12 · $40,800-$43,200/yr

Wheeler School

Independent · PK–12 · $38,200-$40,800/yr

Providence Country Day School

Independent · 6–12 · $34,800/yr

La Salle Academy (Providence)

Catholic · 9–12 · $14,200/yr

Full New Orleans breakdown → Full Providence breakdown →

Louisiana private school costs Rhode Island 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.