Private School Cost: Providence vs Tacoma
Tacoma averages $8,300/year less for private school (61% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $107,900 per child.
Bottom Line
Tacoma is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $13,700/year vs $22,000/year in Providence. Religious schools run $9,400/year on the low end.
Providence
RI
$22,000
avg tuition/year
Tacoma
WA
$13,700
avg tuition/year
Tuition by School Type & Grade
| Category | Providence | Tacoma | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| All Schools (Average) | $22,000/yr | $13,700/yr | +$8,300 |
| Religious Schools | $12,400/yr | $9,400/yr | +$3,000 |
| Independent/Prep | $36,000/yr | $29,400/yr | +$6,600 |
| Elementary (K-5) | $18,000/yr | $11,600/yr | +$6,400 |
| Middle School (6-8) | $22,000/yr | $13,700/yr | +$8,300 |
| High School (9-12) | $27,500/yr | $16,400/yr | +$11,100 |
K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)
Providence
$286,000
Tacoma
$178,100
Choosing Tacoma saves $107,900 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $215,800.
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
Tacoma
Charles Wright Academy
Independent · PK–12 · $28,400/yr
Bellarmine Preparatory School
Catholic · 9–12 · $18,400/yr
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.