Is private school cheaper in Paterson or Reno?

Reno has lower average private school tuition at $11,800/year vs $18,100/year in Paterson. That's $6,300/year less, or $81,900 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Reno is $6,300/year less than Paterson. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $81,900 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $11,700/year in Paterson, $8,200/year in Reno.

How do Paterson and Reno 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). Reno averages $11,800/year ($550 below average).

Private School Cost: Paterson vs Reno

Reno averages $6,300/year less for private school (53% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $81,900 per child.

Bottom Line

Reno is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $11,800/year vs $18,100/year in Paterson. Religious schools run $8,200/year on the low end.

Paterson

$18,100

avg tuition/year

$5,750 above national avg

Reno

$11,800

avg tuition/year

$550 below national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Paterson	Reno	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$18,100/yr	$11,800/yr	+$6,300
Religious Schools	$11,700/yr	$8,200/yr	+$3,500
Independent/Prep	$38,700/yr	$23,600/yr	+$15,100
Elementary (K-5)	$15,400/yr	$10,000/yr	+$5,400
Middle School (6-8)	$18,100/yr	$11,800/yr	+$6,300
High School (9-12)	$21,700/yr	$14,200/yr	+$7,500

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Paterson

$235,300

Reno

$153,400

Choosing Reno saves $81,900 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $163,800.

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

Reno

The Sage Ridge School

Independent · 5–12 · $22,400/yr

Archbishop Borders School (Reno)

Catholic · K–8 · $10,800/yr

Full Paterson breakdown → Full Reno breakdown →

New Jersey private school costs Nevada 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.