Is private school cheaper in Tacoma or Worcester?

Tacoma has lower average private school tuition at $13,700/year vs $23,600/year in Worcester. That's $9,900/year less, or $128,700 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Tacoma is $9,900/year less than Worcester. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $128,700 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $9,400/year in Tacoma, $12,800/year in Worcester.

How do Tacoma and Worcester 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). Worcester averages $23,600/year ($11,250 above average).

Private School Cost: Tacoma vs Worcester

Tacoma averages $9,900/year less for private school (72% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $128,700 per child.

Bottom Line

Tacoma is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $13,700/year vs $23,600/year in Worcester. Religious schools run $9,400/year on the low end.

Tacoma

$13,700

avg tuition/year

$1,350 above national avg

Lower cost

Worcester

$23,600

avg tuition/year

$11,250 above national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Tacoma	Worcester	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$13,700/yr	$23,600/yr	-$9,900
Religious Schools	$9,400/yr	$12,800/yr	-$3,400
Independent/Prep	$29,400/yr	$48,100/yr	-$18,700
Elementary (K-5)	$11,600/yr	$20,100/yr	-$8,500
Middle School (6-8)	$13,700/yr	$23,600/yr	-$9,900
High School (9-12)	$16,400/yr	$28,300/yr	-$11,900

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Tacoma

$178,100

Worcester

$306,800

Choosing Tacoma saves $128,700 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $257,400.

Sample Schools

Tacoma

Charles Wright Academy

Independent · PK–12 · $28,400/yr

Bellarmine Preparatory School

Catholic · 9–12 · $18,400/yr

Worcester

Holy Name Central Catholic High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $13,800/yr

Worcester Academy

Independent · 9–12 · $36,400/yr

Full Tacoma breakdown → Full Worcester breakdown →

Washington private school costs Massachusetts 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.