Is private school cheaper in Paterson or Sandy Springs?

Sandy Springs has lower average private school tuition at $13,300/year vs $18,100/year in Paterson. That's $4,800/year less, or $62,400 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Sandy Springs is $4,800/year less than Paterson. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $62,400 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $11,700/year in Paterson, $9,200/year in Sandy Springs.

How do Paterson and Sandy Springs 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). Sandy Springs averages $13,300/year ($950 above average).

Private School Cost: Paterson vs Sandy Springs

Sandy Springs averages $4,800/year less for private school (36% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $62,400 per child.

Bottom Line

Sandy Springs is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $13,300/year vs $18,100/year in Paterson. Religious schools run $9,200/year on the low end.

Paterson

$18,100

avg tuition/year

$5,750 above national avg

Sandy Springs

$13,300

avg tuition/year

$950 above national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Paterson	Sandy Springs	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$18,100/yr	$13,300/yr	+$4,800
Religious Schools	$11,700/yr	$9,200/yr	+$2,500
Independent/Prep	$38,700/yr	$26,900/yr	+$11,800
Elementary (K-5)	$15,400/yr	$11,300/yr	+$4,100
Middle School (6-8)	$18,100/yr	$13,300/yr	+$4,800
High School (9-12)	$21,700/yr	$16,000/yr	+$5,700

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Paterson

$235,300

Sandy Springs

$172,900

Choosing Sandy Springs saves $62,400 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $124,800.

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

Sandy Springs

The Westminster Schools

Independent · PK–12 · $38,400/yr

Holy Innocents' Episcopal School

Independent (Episcopal) · PK–12 · $30,200/yr

Full Paterson breakdown → Full Sandy Springs breakdown →

New Jersey private school costs Georgia 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.