Is private school cheaper in New York City or Paterson?

Paterson has lower average private school tuition at $18,100/year vs $38,500/year in New York City. That's $20,400/year less, or $265,200 over a K-12 career.

How much can I save on private school by choosing Paterson over New York City?

Average tuition in Paterson is $20,400/year less than New York City. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $265,200 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $17,500/year in New York City, $11,700/year in Paterson.

How do New York City and Paterson private school costs compare to the national average?

The national average private school tuition is $12,350/year. New York City averages $38,500/year ($26,150 above average). Paterson averages $18,100/year ($5,750 above average).

Private School Cost: New York City vs Paterson

Paterson averages $20,400/year less for private school (113% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $265,200 per child.

Bottom Line

Paterson is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $18,100/year vs $38,500/year in New York City. Religious schools run $11,700/year on the low end.

New York City

$38,500

avg tuition/year

$26,150 above national avg

Paterson

$18,100

avg tuition/year

$5,750 above national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	New York City	Paterson	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$38,500/yr	$18,100/yr	+$20,400
Religious Schools	$17,500/yr	$11,700/yr	+$5,800
Independent/Prep	$58,000/yr	$38,700/yr	+$19,300
Elementary (K-5)	$32,000/yr	$15,400/yr	+$16,600
Middle School (6-8)	$38,500/yr	$18,100/yr	+$20,400
High School (9-12)	$48,000/yr	$21,700/yr	+$26,300

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

New York City

$500,500

Paterson

$235,300

Choosing Paterson saves $265,200 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $530,400.

Sample Schools

New York City

Dalton School

Independent · K–12 · $60,310/yr

Trinity School NYC

Independent · K–12 · $59,900/yr

Horace Mann School

Independent · K–12 · $59,200/yr

Regis High School

Catholic (tuition-free) · 9–12

Paterson

Paramus Catholic High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $15,800/yr

St. Philip the Apostle School

Catholic · K–8 · $10,200-$12,400/yr

Full New York City breakdown → Full Paterson breakdown →

New York private school costs New Jersey private school costs

Related Comparisons

New York vs Boston → New York vs Philadelphia → New York vs Chicago → New York vs Houston →

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.