Is private school cheaper in New Orleans or West Palm Beach?

West Palm Beach has lower average private school tuition at $11,300/year vs $11,800/year in New Orleans. That's $500/year less, or $6,500 over a K-12 career.

How much can I save on private school by choosing West Palm Beach over New Orleans?

Average tuition in West Palm Beach is $500/year less than New Orleans. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $6,500 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $7,600/year in New Orleans, $7,800/year in West Palm Beach.

How do New Orleans and West Palm Beach 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). West Palm Beach averages $11,300/year ($1,050 below average).

Private School Cost: New Orleans vs West Palm Beach

West Palm Beach averages $500/year less for private school (4% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $6,500 per child.

Bottom Line

West Palm Beach is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $11,300/year vs $11,800/year in New Orleans. Religious schools run $7,600/year on the low end.

New Orleans

$11,800

avg tuition/year

$550 below national avg

West Palm Beach

$11,300

avg tuition/year

$1,050 below national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	New Orleans	West Palm Beach	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$11,800/yr	$11,300/yr	+$500
Religious Schools	$7,600/yr	$7,800/yr	-$200
Independent/Prep	$22,000/yr	$23,200/yr	-$1,200
Elementary (K-5)	$9,600/yr	$9,600/yr	Same
Middle School (6-8)	$11,800/yr	$11,300/yr	+$500
High School (9-12)	$14,600/yr	$13,600/yr	+$1,000

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

New Orleans

$153,400

West Palm Beach

$146,900

Choosing West Palm Beach saves $6,500 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $13,000.

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

West Palm Beach

Palm Beach Day Academy

Independent · PK–8 · $32,400/yr

Cardinal Newman High School (WPB)

Catholic · 9–12 · $15,200/yr

Full New Orleans breakdown → Full West Palm Beach breakdown →

Louisiana private school costs Florida 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.