Is private school cheaper in Providence or Waterbury?

Waterbury has lower average private school tuition at $20,500/year vs $22,000/year in Providence. That's $1,500/year less, or $19,500 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Waterbury is $1,500/year less than Providence. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $19,500 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $12,400/year in Providence, $11,300/year in Waterbury.

How do Providence and Waterbury 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). Waterbury averages $20,500/year ($8,150 above average).

Private School Cost: Providence vs Waterbury

Waterbury averages $1,500/year less for private school (7% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $19,500 per child.

Bottom Line

Waterbury is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $20,500/year vs $22,000/year in Providence. Religious schools run $11,300/year on the low end.

Providence

$22,000

avg tuition/year

$9,650 above national avg

Waterbury

$20,500

avg tuition/year

$8,150 above national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Providence	Waterbury	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$22,000/yr	$20,500/yr	+$1,500
Religious Schools	$12,400/yr	$11,300/yr	+$1,100
Independent/Prep	$36,000/yr	$40,800/yr	-$4,800
Elementary (K-5)	$18,000/yr	$17,400/yr	+$600
Middle School (6-8)	$22,000/yr	$20,500/yr	+$1,500
High School (9-12)	$27,500/yr	$24,600/yr	+$2,900

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Providence

$286,000

Waterbury

$266,500

Choosing Waterbury saves $19,500 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $39,000.

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

Waterbury

Holy Cross High School (Waterbury)

Catholic · 9–12 · $14,800/yr

Crosby High School (Waterbury)

Independent · 9–12 · $9,800/yr

Full Providence breakdown → Full Waterbury breakdown →

Rhode Island private school costs Connecticut 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.