Is private school cheaper in Pasadena or Waterbury?

Pasadena has lower average private school tuition at $11,200/year vs $20,500/year in Waterbury. That's $9,300/year less, or $120,900 over a K-12 career.

How much can I save on private school by choosing Pasadena over Waterbury?

Average tuition in Pasadena is $9,300/year less than Waterbury. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $120,900 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $7,600/year in Pasadena, $11,300/year in Waterbury.

How do Pasadena and Waterbury private school costs compare to the national average?

The national average private school tuition is $12,350/year. Pasadena averages $11,200/year ($1,150 below average). Waterbury averages $20,500/year ($8,150 above average).

Private School Cost: Pasadena vs Waterbury

Pasadena averages $9,300/year less for private school (83% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $120,900 per child.

Bottom Line

Pasadena is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $11,200/year vs $20,500/year in Waterbury. Religious schools run $7,600/year on the low end.

Pasadena

$11,200

avg tuition/year

$1,150 below national avg

Lower cost

Waterbury

$20,500

avg tuition/year

$8,150 above national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Pasadena	Waterbury	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$11,200/yr	$20,500/yr	-$9,300
Religious Schools	$7,600/yr	$11,300/yr	-$3,700
Independent/Prep	$23,700/yr	$40,800/yr	-$17,100
Elementary (K-5)	$9,500/yr	$17,400/yr	-$7,900
Middle School (6-8)	$11,200/yr	$20,500/yr	-$9,300
High School (9-12)	$13,400/yr	$24,600/yr	-$11,200

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Pasadena

$145,600

Waterbury

$266,500

Choosing Pasadena saves $120,900 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $241,800.

Sample Schools

Pasadena

San Jacinto Christian Academy

Christian · K–12 · $8,400-$10,200/yr

Blessed Sacrament School (Pasadena)

Catholic · K–8 · $7,800-$9,400/yr

Waterbury

Holy Cross High School (Waterbury)

Catholic · 9–12 · $14,800/yr

Crosby High School (Waterbury)

Independent · 9–12 · $9,800/yr

Full Pasadena breakdown → Full Waterbury breakdown →

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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.