Is private school cheaper in Stamford or Waterbury?

Waterbury has lower average private school tuition at $20,500/year vs $29,900/year in Stamford. That's $9,400/year less, or $122,200 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Waterbury is $9,400/year less than Stamford. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $122,200 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $16,500/year in Stamford, $11,300/year in Waterbury.

How do Stamford and Waterbury private school costs compare to the national average?

The national average private school tuition is $12,350/year. Stamford averages $29,900/year ($17,550 above average). Waterbury averages $20,500/year ($8,150 above average).

Private School Cost: Stamford vs Waterbury

Waterbury averages $9,400/year less for private school (46% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $122,200 per child.

Bottom Line

Waterbury is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $20,500/year vs $29,900/year in Stamford. Religious schools run $11,300/year on the low end.

Stamford

$29,900

avg tuition/year

$17,550 above national avg

Waterbury

$20,500

avg tuition/year

$8,150 above national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Stamford	Waterbury	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$29,900/yr	$20,500/yr	+$9,400
Religious Schools	$16,500/yr	$11,300/yr	+$5,200
Independent/Prep	$59,500/yr	$40,800/yr	+$18,700
Elementary (K-5)	$25,400/yr	$17,400/yr	+$8,000
Middle School (6-8)	$29,900/yr	$20,500/yr	+$9,400
High School (9-12)	$35,900/yr	$24,600/yr	+$11,300

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Stamford

$388,700

Waterbury

$266,500

Choosing Waterbury saves $122,200 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $244,400.

Sample Schools

Stamford

King School (Stamford)

Independent · PK–12 · $47,800/yr

Bi-Cultural Day School

Independent (Jewish) · K–8 · $26,400/yr

Waterbury

Holy Cross High School (Waterbury)

Catholic · 9–12 · $14,800/yr

Crosby High School (Waterbury)

Independent · 9–12 · $9,800/yr

Full Stamford breakdown → Full Waterbury breakdown →

Connecticut 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.