Is private school cheaper in Tacoma or Waterbury?

Tacoma has lower average private school tuition at $13,700/year vs $20,500/year in Waterbury. That's $6,800/year less, or $88,400 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Tacoma is $6,800/year less than Waterbury. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $88,400 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $9,400/year in Tacoma, $11,300/year in Waterbury.

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

Private School Cost: Tacoma vs Waterbury

Tacoma averages $6,800/year less for private school (50% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $88,400 per child.

Bottom Line

Tacoma is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $13,700/year vs $20,500/year in Waterbury. Religious schools run $9,400/year on the low end.

Tacoma

$13,700

avg tuition/year

$1,350 above national avg

Lower cost

Waterbury

$20,500

avg tuition/year

$8,150 above national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Tacoma	Waterbury	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$13,700/yr	$20,500/yr	-$6,800
Religious Schools	$9,400/yr	$11,300/yr	-$1,900
Independent/Prep	$29,400/yr	$40,800/yr	-$11,400
Elementary (K-5)	$11,600/yr	$17,400/yr	-$5,800
Middle School (6-8)	$13,700/yr	$20,500/yr	-$6,800
High School (9-12)	$16,400/yr	$24,600/yr	-$8,200

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Tacoma

$178,100

Waterbury

$266,500

Choosing Tacoma saves $88,400 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $176,800.

Sample Schools

Tacoma

Charles Wright Academy

Independent · PK–12 · $28,400/yr

Bellarmine Preparatory School

Catholic · 9–12 · $18,400/yr

Waterbury

Holy Cross High School (Waterbury)

Catholic · 9–12 · $14,800/yr

Crosby High School (Waterbury)

Independent · 9–12 · $9,800/yr

Full Tacoma breakdown → Full Waterbury breakdown →

Washington private school costs 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.