Is private school cheaper in New Orleans or Riverside?

New Orleans has lower average private school tuition at $11,800/year vs $14,900/year in Riverside. That's $3,100/year less, or $40,300 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in New Orleans is $3,100/year less than Riverside. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $40,300 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $7,600/year in New Orleans, $9,700/year in Riverside.

How do New Orleans and Riverside 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). Riverside averages $14,900/year ($2,550 above average).

Private School Cost: New Orleans vs Riverside

New Orleans averages $3,100/year less for private school (26% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $40,300 per child.

Bottom Line

New Orleans is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $11,800/year vs $14,900/year in Riverside. Religious schools run $7,600/year on the low end.

New Orleans

$11,800

avg tuition/year

$550 below national avg

Lower cost

Riverside

$14,900

avg tuition/year

$2,550 above national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	New Orleans	Riverside	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$11,800/yr	$14,900/yr	-$3,100
Religious Schools	$7,600/yr	$9,700/yr	-$2,100
Independent/Prep	$22,000/yr	$29,000/yr	-$7,000
Elementary (K-5)	$9,600/yr	$12,700/yr	-$3,100
Middle School (6-8)	$11,800/yr	$14,900/yr	-$3,100
High School (9-12)	$14,600/yr	$17,900/yr	-$3,300

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

New Orleans

$153,400

Riverside

$193,700

Choosing New Orleans saves $40,300 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $80,600.

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

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 Orleans breakdown → Full Riverside breakdown →

Louisiana 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.