Is private school cheaper in Rochester or Syracuse?

Rochester has lower average private school tuition at $18,100/year vs $18,500/year in Syracuse. That's $400/year less, or $5,200 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Rochester is $400/year less than Syracuse. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $5,200 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $10,400/year in Rochester, $10,600/year in Syracuse.

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

The national average private school tuition is $12,350/year. Rochester averages $18,100/year ($5,750 above average). Syracuse averages $18,500/year ($6,150 above average).

Private School Cost: Rochester vs Syracuse

Rochester averages $400/year less for private school (2% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $5,200 per child.

Bottom Line

Rochester is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $18,100/year vs $18,500/year in Syracuse. Religious schools run $10,400/year on the low end.

Rochester

$18,100

avg tuition/year

$5,750 above national avg

Lower cost

Syracuse

$18,500

avg tuition/year

$6,150 above national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Rochester	Syracuse	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$18,100/yr	$18,500/yr	-$400
Religious Schools	$10,400/yr	$10,600/yr	-$200
Independent/Prep	$38,500/yr	$39,400/yr	-$900
Elementary (K-5)	$15,400/yr	$15,700/yr	-$300
Middle School (6-8)	$18,100/yr	$18,500/yr	-$400
High School (9-12)	$21,700/yr	$22,200/yr	-$500

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Rochester

$235,300

Syracuse

$240,500

Choosing Rochester saves $5,200 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $10,400.

Sample Schools

Rochester

McQuaid Jesuit High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $16,800/yr

Allendale Columbia School

Independent · PK–12 · $22,400/yr

Syracuse

Christian Brothers Academy (Syracuse)

Catholic · 7–12 · $16,200/yr

Bishop Grimes Jr/Sr High School

Catholic · 7–12 · $12,400/yr

Full Rochester breakdown → Full Syracuse breakdown →

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.