Is private school cheaper in Providence or Rochester?

Rochester has lower average private school tuition at $18,100/year vs $22,000/year in Providence. That's $3,900/year less, or $50,700 over a K-12 career.

How much can I save on private school by choosing Rochester over Providence?

Average tuition in Rochester is $3,900/year less than Providence. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $50,700 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $12,400/year in Providence, $10,400/year in Rochester.

How do Providence and Rochester private school costs compare to the national average?

The national average private school tuition is $12,350/year. Providence averages $22,000/year ($9,650 above average). Rochester averages $18,100/year ($5,750 above average).

Private School Cost: Providence vs Rochester

Rochester averages $3,900/year less for private school (22% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $50,700 per child.

Bottom Line

Rochester is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $18,100/year vs $22,000/year in Providence. Religious schools run $10,400/year on the low end.

Providence

$22,000

avg tuition/year

$9,650 above national avg

Rochester

$18,100

avg tuition/year

$5,750 above national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Providence	Rochester	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$22,000/yr	$18,100/yr	+$3,900
Religious Schools	$12,400/yr	$10,400/yr	+$2,000
Independent/Prep	$36,000/yr	$38,500/yr	-$2,500
Elementary (K-5)	$18,000/yr	$15,400/yr	+$2,600
Middle School (6-8)	$22,000/yr	$18,100/yr	+$3,900
High School (9-12)	$27,500/yr	$21,700/yr	+$5,800

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Providence

$286,000

Rochester

$235,300

Choosing Rochester saves $50,700 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $101,400.

Sample Schools

Providence

Moses Brown School

Independent (Quaker) · PK–12 · $40,800-$43,200/yr

Wheeler School

Independent · PK–12 · $38,200-$40,800/yr

Providence Country Day School

Independent · 6–12 · $34,800/yr

La Salle Academy (Providence)

Catholic · 9–12 · $14,200/yr

Rochester

McQuaid Jesuit High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $16,800/yr

Allendale Columbia School

Independent · PK–12 · $22,400/yr

Full Providence breakdown → Full Rochester breakdown →

Rhode Island private school costs New York 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.