Is private school cheaper in New Orleans or Tulsa?

Tulsa has lower average private school tuition at $7,000/year vs $11,800/year in New Orleans. That's $4,800/year less, or $62,400 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Tulsa is $4,800/year less than New Orleans. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $62,400 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $7,600/year in New Orleans, $5,100/year in Tulsa.

How do New Orleans and Tulsa 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). Tulsa averages $7,000/year ($5,350 below average).

Private School Cost: New Orleans vs Tulsa

Tulsa averages $4,800/year less for private school (69% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $62,400 per child.

Bottom Line

Tulsa is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $7,000/year vs $11,800/year in New Orleans. Religious schools run $5,100/year on the low end.

New Orleans

$11,800

avg tuition/year

$550 below national avg

Tulsa

$7,000

avg tuition/year

$5,350 below national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	New Orleans	Tulsa	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$11,800/yr	$7,000/yr	+$4,800
Religious Schools	$7,600/yr	$5,100/yr	+$2,500
Independent/Prep	$22,000/yr	$14,500/yr	+$7,500
Elementary (K-5)	$9,600/yr	$6,000/yr	+$3,600
Middle School (6-8)	$11,800/yr	$7,000/yr	+$4,800
High School (9-12)	$14,600/yr	$8,400/yr	+$6,200

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

New Orleans

$153,400

Tulsa

$91,000

Choosing Tulsa saves $62,400 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $124,800.

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

Tulsa

Holland Hall (Tulsa)

Independent (Episcopal) · PK–12 · $21,400/yr

Bishop Kelley High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $10,800/yr

Full New Orleans breakdown → Full Tulsa breakdown →

Louisiana private school costs Oklahoma 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.