Is private school cheaper in Tacoma or Trenton?

Tacoma has lower average private school tuition at $13,700/year vs $16,800/year in Trenton. That's $3,100/year less, or $40,300 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Tacoma is $3,100/year less than Trenton. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $40,300 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $9,400/year in Tacoma, $10,800/year in Trenton.

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

The national average private school tuition is $12,350/year. Tacoma averages $13,700/year ($1,350 above average). Trenton averages $16,800/year ($4,450 above average).

Private School Cost: Tacoma vs Trenton

Tacoma averages $3,100/year less for private school (23% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $40,300 per child.

Bottom Line

Tacoma is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $13,700/year vs $16,800/year in Trenton. Religious schools run $9,400/year on the low end.

Tacoma

$13,700

avg tuition/year

$1,350 above national avg

Lower cost

Trenton

$16,800

avg tuition/year

$4,450 above national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Tacoma	Trenton	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$13,700/yr	$16,800/yr	-$3,100
Religious Schools	$9,400/yr	$10,800/yr	-$1,400
Independent/Prep	$29,400/yr	$35,800/yr	-$6,400
Elementary (K-5)	$11,600/yr	$14,300/yr	-$2,700
Middle School (6-8)	$13,700/yr	$16,800/yr	-$3,100
High School (9-12)	$16,400/yr	$20,200/yr	-$3,800

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Tacoma

$178,100

Trenton

$218,400

Choosing Tacoma saves $40,300 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $80,600.

Sample Schools

Tacoma

Charles Wright Academy

Independent · PK–12 · $28,400/yr

Bellarmine Preparatory School

Catholic · 9–12 · $18,400/yr

Trenton

Notre Dame High School (Trenton NJ)

Catholic · 9–12 · $14,200/yr

Trenton Catholic Academy

Catholic · K–12 · $12,400/yr

Full Tacoma breakdown → Full Trenton breakdown →

Washington private school costs New Jersey 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.