Is private school cheaper in Paterson or Peoria?

Peoria has lower average private school tuition at $9,700/year vs $18,100/year in Paterson. That's $8,400/year less, or $109,200 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Peoria is $8,400/year less than Paterson. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $109,200 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $11,700/year in Paterson, $7,300/year in Peoria.

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

The national average private school tuition is $12,350/year. Paterson averages $18,100/year ($5,750 above average). Peoria averages $9,700/year ($2,650 below average).

Private School Cost: Paterson vs Peoria

Peoria averages $8,400/year less for private school (87% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $109,200 per child.

Bottom Line

Peoria is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $9,700/year vs $18,100/year in Paterson. Religious schools run $7,300/year on the low end.

Paterson

$18,100

avg tuition/year

$5,750 above national avg

Peoria

$9,700

avg tuition/year

$2,650 below national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Paterson	Peoria	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$18,100/yr	$9,700/yr	+$8,400
Religious Schools	$11,700/yr	$7,300/yr	+$4,400
Independent/Prep	$38,700/yr	$18,500/yr	+$20,200
Elementary (K-5)	$15,400/yr	$8,200/yr	+$7,200
Middle School (6-8)	$18,100/yr	$9,700/yr	+$8,400
High School (9-12)	$21,700/yr	$11,600/yr	+$10,100

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Paterson

$235,300

Peoria

$126,100

Choosing Peoria saves $109,200 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $218,400.

Sample Schools

Paterson

Paramus Catholic High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $15,800/yr

St. Philip the Apostle School

Catholic · K–8 · $10,200-$12,400/yr

Peoria

Sandra Day O'Connor Prep (Peoria)

Independent · 9–12 · $10,400/yr

Deer Valley Christian Academy

Christian · K–12 · $8,800-$10,800/yr

Full Paterson breakdown → Full Peoria 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.