Is private school cheaper in Paterson or Springfield?

Paterson has lower average private school tuition at $18,100/year vs $22,500/year in Springfield. That's $4,400/year less, or $57,200 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Paterson is $4,400/year less than Springfield. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $57,200 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $11,700/year in Paterson, $12,200/year in Springfield.

How do Paterson and Springfield 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). Springfield averages $22,500/year ($10,150 above average).

Private School Cost: Paterson vs Springfield

Paterson averages $4,400/year less for private school (24% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $57,200 per child.

Bottom Line

Paterson is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $18,100/year vs $22,500/year in Springfield. Religious schools run $11,700/year on the low end.

Paterson

$18,100

avg tuition/year

$5,750 above national avg

Lower cost

Springfield

$22,500

avg tuition/year

$10,150 above national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Paterson	Springfield	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$18,100/yr	$22,500/yr	-$4,400
Religious Schools	$11,700/yr	$12,200/yr	-$500
Independent/Prep	$38,700/yr	$45,800/yr	-$7,100
Elementary (K-5)	$15,400/yr	$19,100/yr	-$3,700
Middle School (6-8)	$18,100/yr	$22,500/yr	-$4,400
High School (9-12)	$21,700/yr	$27,000/yr	-$5,300

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Paterson

$235,300

Springfield

$292,500

Choosing Paterson saves $57,200 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $114,400.

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

Springfield

Cathedral High School (Springfield MA)

Catholic · 9–12 · $12,200/yr

The MacDuffie School

Independent · 6–12 · $38,400/yr

Full Paterson breakdown → Full Springfield breakdown →

New Jersey private school costs Massachusetts 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.