Is private school cheaper in Paterson or Scranton?

Scranton has lower average private school tuition at $12,200/year vs $18,100/year in Paterson. That's $5,900/year less, or $76,700 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Scranton is $5,900/year less than Paterson. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $76,700 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $11,700/year in Paterson, $7,800/year in Scranton.

How do Paterson and Scranton 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). Scranton averages $12,200/year ($150 below average).

Private School Cost: Paterson vs Scranton

Scranton averages $5,900/year less for private school (48% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $76,700 per child.

Bottom Line

Scranton is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $12,200/year vs $18,100/year in Paterson. Religious schools run $7,800/year on the low end.

Paterson

$18,100

avg tuition/year

$5,750 above national avg

Scranton

$12,200

avg tuition/year

$150 below national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Paterson	Scranton	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$18,100/yr	$12,200/yr	+$5,900
Religious Schools	$11,700/yr	$7,800/yr	+$3,900
Independent/Prep	$38,700/yr	$28,300/yr	+$10,400
Elementary (K-5)	$15,400/yr	$10,400/yr	+$5,000
Middle School (6-8)	$18,100/yr	$12,200/yr	+$5,900
High School (9-12)	$21,700/yr	$14,600/yr	+$7,100

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Paterson

$235,300

Scranton

$158,600

Choosing Scranton saves $76,700 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $153,400.

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

Scranton

Holy Cross High School (Dunmore)

Catholic · 9–12 · $11,200/yr

Wyoming Seminary

Independent · 9–12 · $36,800-$42,000/yr

Full Paterson breakdown → Full Scranton breakdown →

New Jersey private school costs Pennsylvania 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.