Is private school cheaper in Seattle or Syracuse?

Syracuse has lower average private school tuition at $18,500/year vs $24,500/year in Seattle. That's $6,000/year less, or $78,000 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Syracuse is $6,000/year less than Seattle. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $78,000 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $13,200/year in Seattle, $10,600/year in Syracuse.

How do Seattle and Syracuse 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). Syracuse averages $18,500/year ($6,150 above average).

Private School Cost: Seattle vs Syracuse

Syracuse averages $6,000/year less for private school (32% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $78,000 per child.

Bottom Line

Syracuse is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $18,500/year vs $24,500/year in Seattle. Religious schools run $10,600/year on the low end.

Seattle

$24,500

avg tuition/year

$12,150 above national avg

Syracuse

$18,500

avg tuition/year

$6,150 above national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Seattle	Syracuse	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$24,500/yr	$18,500/yr	+$6,000
Religious Schools	$13,200/yr	$10,600/yr	+$2,600
Independent/Prep	$38,000/yr	$39,400/yr	-$1,400
Elementary (K-5)	$20,000/yr	$15,700/yr	+$4,300
Middle School (6-8)	$24,500/yr	$18,500/yr	+$6,000
High School (9-12)	$30,500/yr	$22,200/yr	+$8,300

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Seattle

$318,500

Syracuse

$240,500

Choosing Syracuse saves $78,000 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $156,000.

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

Syracuse

Christian Brothers Academy (Syracuse)

Catholic · 7–12 · $16,200/yr

Bishop Grimes Jr/Sr High School

Catholic · 7–12 · $12,400/yr

Full Seattle breakdown → Full Syracuse breakdown →

Washington private school costs New York 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.