Is private school cheaper in Portland or Trenton?

Trenton has lower average private school tuition at $16,800/year vs $18,200/year in Portland. That's $1,400/year less, or $18,200 over a K-12 career.

How much can I save on private school by choosing Trenton over Portland?

Average tuition in Trenton is $1,400/year less than Portland. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $18,200 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $10,400/year in Portland, $10,800/year in Trenton.

How do Portland and Trenton private school costs compare to the national average?

The national average private school tuition is $12,350/year. Portland averages $18,200/year ($5,850 above average). Trenton averages $16,800/year ($4,450 above average).

Private School Cost: Portland vs Trenton

Trenton averages $1,400/year less for private school (8% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $18,200 per child.

Bottom Line

Trenton is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $16,800/year vs $18,200/year in Portland. Religious schools run $10,400/year on the low end.

Portland

$18,200

avg tuition/year

$5,850 above national avg

Trenton

$16,800

avg tuition/year

$4,450 above national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Portland	Trenton	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$18,200/yr	$16,800/yr	+$1,400
Religious Schools	$10,400/yr	$10,800/yr	-$400
Independent/Prep	$31,500/yr	$35,800/yr	-$4,300
Elementary (K-5)	$14,800/yr	$14,300/yr	+$500
Middle School (6-8)	$18,200/yr	$16,800/yr	+$1,400
High School (9-12)	$22,500/yr	$20,200/yr	+$2,300

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Portland

$236,600

Trenton

$218,400

Choosing Trenton saves $18,200 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $36,400.

Sample Schools

Portland

Catlin Gabel School

Independent · PK–12 · $38,400-$41,200/yr

Oregon Episcopal School

Independent · PK–12 · $34,800/yr

Jesuit High School (Portland)

Catholic · 9–12 · $19,200/yr

Central Catholic High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $14,800/yr

Trenton

Notre Dame High School (Trenton NJ)

Catholic · 9–12 · $14,200/yr

Trenton Catholic Academy

Catholic · K–12 · $12,400/yr

Full Portland breakdown → Full Trenton breakdown →

Oregon private school costs New Jersey private school costs

Related Comparisons

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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.