Is private school cheaper in New Orleans or Seattle?

New Orleans has lower average private school tuition at $11,800/year vs $24,500/year in Seattle. That's $12,700/year less, or $165,100 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in New Orleans is $12,700/year less than Seattle. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $165,100 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $7,600/year in New Orleans, $13,200/year in Seattle.

How do New Orleans and Seattle 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). Seattle averages $24,500/year ($12,150 above average).

Private School Cost: New Orleans vs Seattle

New Orleans averages $12,700/year less for private school (108% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $165,100 per child.

Bottom Line

New Orleans is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $11,800/year vs $24,500/year in Seattle. Religious schools run $7,600/year on the low end.

New Orleans

$11,800

avg tuition/year

$550 below national avg

Lower cost

Seattle

$24,500

avg tuition/year

$12,150 above national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	New Orleans	Seattle	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$11,800/yr	$24,500/yr	-$12,700
Religious Schools	$7,600/yr	$13,200/yr	-$5,600
Independent/Prep	$22,000/yr	$38,000/yr	-$16,000
Elementary (K-5)	$9,600/yr	$20,000/yr	-$10,400
Middle School (6-8)	$11,800/yr	$24,500/yr	-$12,700
High School (9-12)	$14,600/yr	$30,500/yr	-$15,900

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

New Orleans

$153,400

Seattle

$318,500

Choosing New Orleans saves $165,100 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $330,200.

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

Seattle

University Prep

Independent · 6–12 · $42,800/yr

Northwest School

Independent · 6–12 · $39,400/yr

Seattle Prep

Catholic · 9–12 · $21,200/yr

O'Dea High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $17,800/yr

Full New Orleans breakdown → Full Seattle breakdown →

Louisiana private school costs Washington private school costs

Related Comparisons

Seattle vs Portland → Seattle vs Denver →

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.