Is private school cheaper in Paterson or Salt Lake City?

Salt Lake City has lower average private school tuition at $9,400/year vs $18,100/year in Paterson. That's $8,700/year less, or $113,100 over a K-12 career.

How much can I save on private school by choosing Salt Lake City over Paterson?

Average tuition in Salt Lake City is $8,700/year less than Paterson. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $113,100 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $11,700/year in Paterson, $6,500/year in Salt Lake City.

How do Paterson and Salt Lake City 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). Salt Lake City averages $9,400/year ($2,950 below average).

Private School Cost: Paterson vs Salt Lake City

Salt Lake City averages $8,700/year less for private school (93% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $113,100 per child.

Bottom Line

Salt Lake City is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $9,400/year vs $18,100/year in Paterson. Religious schools run $6,500/year on the low end.

Paterson

$18,100

avg tuition/year

$5,750 above national avg

Salt Lake City

$9,400

avg tuition/year

$2,950 below national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Paterson	Salt Lake City	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$18,100/yr	$9,400/yr	+$8,700
Religious Schools	$11,700/yr	$6,500/yr	+$5,200
Independent/Prep	$38,700/yr	$18,700/yr	+$20,000
Elementary (K-5)	$15,400/yr	$8,000/yr	+$7,400
Middle School (6-8)	$18,100/yr	$9,400/yr	+$8,700
High School (9-12)	$21,700/yr	$11,300/yr	+$10,400

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Paterson

$235,300

Salt Lake City

$122,200

Choosing Salt Lake City saves $113,100 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $226,200.

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

Salt Lake City

Judge Memorial Catholic High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $12,400/yr

Utah Private Academy

Independent · K–12 · $9,800-$12,400/yr

Full Paterson breakdown → Full Salt Lake City 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.