Is private school cheaper in Orange County or Paterson?

Paterson has lower average private school tuition at $18,100/year vs $20,800/year in Orange County. That's $2,700/year less, or $35,100 over a K-12 career.

How much can I save on private school by choosing Paterson over Orange County?

Average tuition in Paterson is $2,700/year less than Orange County. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $35,100 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $11,200/year in Orange County, $11,700/year in Paterson.

How do Orange County and Paterson private school costs compare to the national average?

The national average private school tuition is $12,350/year. Orange County averages $20,800/year ($8,450 above average). Paterson averages $18,100/year ($5,750 above average).

Private School Cost: Orange County vs Paterson

Paterson averages $2,700/year less for private school (15% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $35,100 per child.

Bottom Line

Paterson is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $18,100/year vs $20,800/year in Orange County. Religious schools run $11,200/year on the low end.

Orange County

$20,800

avg tuition/year

$8,450 above national avg

Paterson

$18,100

avg tuition/year

$5,750 above national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Orange County	Paterson	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$20,800/yr	$18,100/yr	+$2,700
Religious Schools	$11,200/yr	$11,700/yr	-$500
Independent/Prep	$34,800/yr	$38,700/yr	-$3,900
Elementary (K-5)	$17,000/yr	$15,400/yr	+$1,600
Middle School (6-8)	$20,800/yr	$18,100/yr	+$2,700
High School (9-12)	$25,500/yr	$21,700/yr	+$3,800

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Orange County

$270,400

Paterson

$235,300

Choosing Paterson saves $35,100 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $70,200.

Sample Schools

Orange County

Sage Hill School

Independent · 9–12 · $41,800/yr

Fairmont Preparatory Academy

Independent · 9–12 · $34,600-$37,200/yr

Calvary Chapel Academy

Christian · K–12 · $10,400-$12,800/yr

JSerra Catholic High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $22,400/yr

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 Orange County breakdown → Full Paterson breakdown →

California private school costs New Jersey 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.