Is private school cheaper in Rochester or Tacoma?

Tacoma has lower average private school tuition at $13,700/year vs $18,100/year in Rochester. That's $4,400/year less, or $57,200 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Tacoma is $4,400/year less than Rochester. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $57,200 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $10,400/year in Rochester, $9,400/year in Tacoma.

How do Rochester and Tacoma 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). Tacoma averages $13,700/year ($1,350 above average).

Private School Cost: Rochester vs Tacoma

Tacoma averages $4,400/year less for private school (32% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $57,200 per child.

Bottom Line

Tacoma is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $13,700/year vs $18,100/year in Rochester. Religious schools run $9,400/year on the low end.

Rochester

$18,100

avg tuition/year

$5,750 above national avg

Tacoma

$13,700

avg tuition/year

$1,350 above national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Rochester	Tacoma	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$18,100/yr	$13,700/yr	+$4,400
Religious Schools	$10,400/yr	$9,400/yr	+$1,000
Independent/Prep	$38,500/yr	$29,400/yr	+$9,100
Elementary (K-5)	$15,400/yr	$11,600/yr	+$3,800
Middle School (6-8)	$18,100/yr	$13,700/yr	+$4,400
High School (9-12)	$21,700/yr	$16,400/yr	+$5,300

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Rochester

$235,300

Tacoma

$178,100

Choosing Tacoma saves $57,200 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $114,400.

Sample Schools

Rochester

McQuaid Jesuit High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $16,800/yr

Allendale Columbia School

Independent · PK–12 · $22,400/yr

Tacoma

Charles Wright Academy

Independent · PK–12 · $28,400/yr

Bellarmine Preparatory School

Catholic · 9–12 · $18,400/yr

Full Rochester breakdown → Full Tacoma breakdown →

New York private school costs Washington 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.