Is private school cheaper in Springfield or Tacoma?

Tacoma has lower average private school tuition at $13,700/year vs $22,500/year in Springfield. That's $8,800/year less, or $114,400 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Tacoma is $8,800/year less than Springfield. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $114,400 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $12,200/year in Springfield, $9,400/year in Tacoma.

How do Springfield and Tacoma private school costs compare to the national average?

The national average private school tuition is $12,350/year. Springfield averages $22,500/year ($10,150 above average). Tacoma averages $13,700/year ($1,350 above average).

Private School Cost: Springfield vs Tacoma

Tacoma averages $8,800/year less for private school (64% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $114,400 per child.

Bottom Line

Tacoma is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $13,700/year vs $22,500/year in Springfield. Religious schools run $9,400/year on the low end.

Springfield

$22,500

avg tuition/year

$10,150 above national avg

Tacoma

$13,700

avg tuition/year

$1,350 above national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Springfield	Tacoma	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$22,500/yr	$13,700/yr	+$8,800
Religious Schools	$12,200/yr	$9,400/yr	+$2,800
Independent/Prep	$45,800/yr	$29,400/yr	+$16,400
Elementary (K-5)	$19,100/yr	$11,600/yr	+$7,500
Middle School (6-8)	$22,500/yr	$13,700/yr	+$8,800
High School (9-12)	$27,000/yr	$16,400/yr	+$10,600

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Springfield

$292,500

Tacoma

$178,100

Choosing Tacoma saves $114,400 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $228,800.

Sample Schools

Springfield

Cathedral High School (Springfield MA)

Catholic · 9–12 · $12,200/yr

The MacDuffie School

Independent · 6–12 · $38,400/yr

Tacoma

Charles Wright Academy

Independent · PK–12 · $28,400/yr

Bellarmine Preparatory School

Catholic · 9–12 · $18,400/yr

Full Springfield breakdown → Full Tacoma breakdown →

Massachusetts 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.