Is private school cheaper in Paterson or Washington DC?

Paterson has lower average private school tuition at $18,100/year vs $28,400/year in Washington DC. That's $10,300/year less, or $133,900 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Paterson is $10,300/year less than Washington DC. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $133,900 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $11,700/year in Paterson, $15,200/year in Washington DC.

How do Paterson and Washington DC 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). Washington DC averages $28,400/year ($16,050 above average).

Private School Cost: Paterson vs Washington DC

Paterson averages $10,300/year less for private school (57% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $133,900 per child.

Bottom Line

Paterson is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $18,100/year vs $28,400/year in Washington DC. Religious schools run $11,700/year on the low end.

Paterson

$18,100

avg tuition/year

$5,750 above national avg

Lower cost

Washington DC

$28,400

avg tuition/year

$16,050 above national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Paterson	Washington DC	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$18,100/yr	$28,400/yr	-$10,300
Religious Schools	$11,700/yr	$15,200/yr	-$3,500
Independent/Prep	$38,700/yr	$46,000/yr	-$7,300
Elementary (K-5)	$15,400/yr	$23,000/yr	-$7,600
Middle School (6-8)	$18,100/yr	$28,400/yr	-$10,300
High School (9-12)	$21,700/yr	$35,500/yr	-$13,800

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Paterson

$235,300

Washington DC

$369,200

Choosing Paterson saves $133,900 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $267,800.

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

Washington DC

Sidwell Friends School

Independent (Quaker) · PK–12 · $52,900/yr

Georgetown Day School

Independent · PK–12 · $51,400/yr

National Cathedral School

Independent · 4–12 · $50,200/yr

Gonzaga College High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $25,400/yr

Full Paterson breakdown → Full Washington DC breakdown →

New Jersey private school costs District of Columbia private school costs

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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.