Is private school cheaper in Paterson or Tulsa?

Tulsa has lower average private school tuition at $7,000/year vs $18,100/year in Paterson. That's $11,100/year less, or $144,300 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Tulsa is $11,100/year less than Paterson. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $144,300 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $11,700/year in Paterson, $5,100/year in Tulsa.

How do Paterson and Tulsa 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). Tulsa averages $7,000/year ($5,350 below average).

Private School Cost: Paterson vs Tulsa

Tulsa averages $11,100/year less for private school (159% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $144,300 per child.

Bottom Line

Tulsa is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $7,000/year vs $18,100/year in Paterson. Religious schools run $5,100/year on the low end.

Paterson

$18,100

avg tuition/year

$5,750 above national avg

Tulsa

$7,000

avg tuition/year

$5,350 below national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Paterson	Tulsa	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$18,100/yr	$7,000/yr	+$11,100
Religious Schools	$11,700/yr	$5,100/yr	+$6,600
Independent/Prep	$38,700/yr	$14,500/yr	+$24,200
Elementary (K-5)	$15,400/yr	$6,000/yr	+$9,400
Middle School (6-8)	$18,100/yr	$7,000/yr	+$11,100
High School (9-12)	$21,700/yr	$8,400/yr	+$13,300

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Paterson

$235,300

Tulsa

$91,000

Choosing Tulsa saves $144,300 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $288,600.

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

Tulsa

Holland Hall (Tulsa)

Independent (Episcopal) · PK–12 · $21,400/yr

Bishop Kelley High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $10,800/yr

Full Paterson breakdown → Full Tulsa 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.