Is private school cheaper in Seattle or South Bend?

South Bend has lower average private school tuition at $7,400/year vs $24,500/year in Seattle. That's $17,100/year less, or $222,300 over a K-12 career.

How much can I save on private school by choosing South Bend over Seattle?

Average tuition in South Bend is $17,100/year less than Seattle. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $222,300 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $13,200/year in Seattle, $5,500/year in South Bend.

How do Seattle and South Bend private school costs compare to the national average?

The national average private school tuition is $12,350/year. Seattle averages $24,500/year ($12,150 above average). South Bend averages $7,400/year ($4,950 below average).

Private School Cost: Seattle vs South Bend

South Bend averages $17,100/year less for private school (231% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $222,300 per child.

Bottom Line

South Bend is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $7,400/year vs $24,500/year in Seattle. Religious schools run $5,500/year on the low end.

Seattle

$24,500

avg tuition/year

$12,150 above national avg

South Bend

$7,400

avg tuition/year

$4,950 below national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Seattle	South Bend	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$24,500/yr	$7,400/yr	+$17,100
Religious Schools	$13,200/yr	$5,500/yr	+$7,700
Independent/Prep	$38,000/yr	$15,400/yr	+$22,600
Elementary (K-5)	$20,000/yr	$6,300/yr	+$13,700
Middle School (6-8)	$24,500/yr	$7,400/yr	+$17,100
High School (9-12)	$30,500/yr	$8,900/yr	+$21,600

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Seattle

$318,500

South Bend

$96,200

Choosing South Bend saves $222,300 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $444,600.

Sample Schools

Seattle

University Prep

Independent · 6–12 · $42,800/yr

Northwest School

Independent · 6–12 · $39,400/yr

Seattle Prep

Catholic · 9–12 · $21,200/yr

O'Dea High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $17,800/yr

South Bend

Saint Joseph High School (South Bend)

Catholic · 9–12 · $9,600/yr

South Bend STEM Academy

Independent · K–12 · $9,200-$11,400/yr

Full Seattle breakdown → Full South Bend breakdown →

Washington private school costs Indiana private school costs

Related Comparisons

Seattle vs Portland → Seattle vs Denver →

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.