Is private school cheaper in Seattle or Waterbury?

Waterbury has lower average private school tuition at $20,500/year vs $24,500/year in Seattle. That's $4,000/year less, or $52,000 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Waterbury is $4,000/year less than Seattle. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $52,000 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $13,200/year in Seattle, $11,300/year in Waterbury.

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

Private School Cost: Seattle vs Waterbury

Waterbury averages $4,000/year less for private school (20% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $52,000 per child.

Bottom Line

Waterbury is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $20,500/year vs $24,500/year in Seattle. Religious schools run $11,300/year on the low end.

Seattle

$24,500

avg tuition/year

$12,150 above national avg

Waterbury

$20,500

avg tuition/year

$8,150 above national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Seattle	Waterbury	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$24,500/yr	$20,500/yr	+$4,000
Religious Schools	$13,200/yr	$11,300/yr	+$1,900
Independent/Prep	$38,000/yr	$40,800/yr	-$2,800
Elementary (K-5)	$20,000/yr	$17,400/yr	+$2,600
Middle School (6-8)	$24,500/yr	$20,500/yr	+$4,000
High School (9-12)	$30,500/yr	$24,600/yr	+$5,900

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Seattle

$318,500

Waterbury

$266,500

Choosing Waterbury saves $52,000 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $104,000.

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

Waterbury

Holy Cross High School (Waterbury)

Catholic · 9–12 · $14,800/yr

Crosby High School (Waterbury)

Independent · 9–12 · $9,800/yr

Full Seattle breakdown → Full Waterbury breakdown →

Washington private school costs Connecticut 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.