Is private school cheaper in Thornton or Trenton?

Thornton has lower average private school tuition at $13,100/year vs $16,800/year in Trenton. That's $3,700/year less, or $48,100 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Thornton is $3,700/year less than Trenton. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $48,100 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $8,500/year in Thornton, $10,800/year in Trenton.

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

The national average private school tuition is $12,350/year. Thornton averages $13,100/year ($750 above average). Trenton averages $16,800/year ($4,450 above average).

Private School Cost: Thornton vs Trenton

Thornton averages $3,700/year less for private school (28% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $48,100 per child.

Bottom Line

Thornton is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $13,100/year vs $16,800/year in Trenton. Religious schools run $8,500/year on the low end.

Thornton

$13,100

avg tuition/year

$750 above national avg

Lower cost

Trenton

$16,800

avg tuition/year

$4,450 above national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Thornton	Trenton	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$13,100/yr	$16,800/yr	-$3,700
Religious Schools	$8,500/yr	$10,800/yr	-$2,300
Independent/Prep	$25,700/yr	$35,800/yr	-$10,100
Elementary (K-5)	$11,100/yr	$14,300/yr	-$3,200
Middle School (6-8)	$13,100/yr	$16,800/yr	-$3,700
High School (9-12)	$15,700/yr	$20,200/yr	-$4,500

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Thornton

$170,300

Trenton

$218,400

Choosing Thornton saves $48,100 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $96,200.

Sample Schools

Thornton

Thornton Christian Academy

Christian · K–12 · $9,200-$11,400/yr

St. Pius X Catholic School (Thornton)

Catholic · K–8 · $8,400-$10,200/yr

Trenton

Notre Dame High School (Trenton NJ)

Catholic · 9–12 · $14,200/yr

Trenton Catholic Academy

Catholic · K–12 · $12,400/yr

Full Thornton breakdown → Full Trenton breakdown →

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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.