15 States Where Private School Costs More Than College

The cost to send a child to private school is a major expense, especially before the hefty price tag of college tuition. As the cost of tuition continues to increase, plenty of parents in the U.S. must consider what it is going to take for them to put their child through college.

In order to plan for education costs, GOBankingRates found the average cost of private schools and public four-year colleges in each state. The study then identified 15 states where average private school costs, from elementary to high school, are higher than the in-state tuition for public colleges.

Average private tuition: $7,429

Average public college tuition: $6,907

Montana has the lowest average cost of private school tuition on this list. Montana is also one of the best states when it comes to affording college tuition — the cost is less than the price it takes to send a child to private school.

Average private tuition: $8,740

Average public college tuition: $6,921

New Mexico has the second-lowest private school tuition on this list, which is nearly $2,000 more than the average public college tuition. You can avoid breaking the bank by sending a child to a public college in New Mexico, home to one of the best colleges you can attend for under $20,000 a year.

Average private tuition: $9,057

Average public college tuition: $7,385

In North Carolina, there is a $1,600 difference between the average cost of private school tuition and public college tuition. In this southern state, you can prevent student debt from becoming a major source of overall debt by attending a more affordable public college.

Average private tuition: $9,518

Average public college tuition: $8,875

The average cost of attending one of Missouri’s top private schools is over $9,500, while the average cost of attending a public college is around $8,800.

Average private tuition: $9,559

Average public college tuition: $7,274

In Nevada, the average tuition for private school is just under $10,000. Meanwhile, the average cost for attending an in-state public college in Nevada is less than private school, with tuition and fees costing an average of $7,274.

Average private tuition: $10,067

Average public college tuition: $6,788

If you’re looking for an inexpensive college education, Utah might be just the place. The state’s public four-year colleges have the third-lowest average tuition and fees in the country.

Average private tuition: $10,372

Average public college tuition: $8,573

The Peach State is another southern state on this list where private school education is more costly than public college tuition. As long as you don’t choose to attend one of the most expensive colleges in Georgia, you can avoid crippling student debt.

Average private tuition: $10,412

Average public college tuition: $9,480

Private school education in Washington costs over $10,000, whereas the average cost of attending a public college in the Pacific Northwest state is nearly $9,500. Furthermore, Washington provides the top 15th-highest average salary for teachers in the U.S.

Average private tuition: $12,373

Average public college tuition: $9,575

Maryland is one of the states that put education first, spending more than $14,000 per pupil. However, you will spend more attending a private elementary or high school than you will attending one of the state’s public colleges.

Average private tuition: $11,991

Average public college tuition: $10,658

Hawaii is one of the most expensive states to live in, which means higher education costs. The cost to attend private school in this popular vacation destination is nearly $12,000, which is about $2,000 more than the cost of college in this state.

Average private tuition: $13,580

Average public college tuition: $12,820

Although there’s not a huge difference between the cost of private school and public college tuition within Virginia, attending an in-state university is still less than being enrolled in private elementary through high school.

Average private tuition: $13,780

Average public college tuition: $9,680

California has one of the largest education budgets in the country, but private school tuition is high. When it comes to private school cost, students in the Golden State will spend an average of $13,780, while the average public college tuition cost is about $4,000 less.

Average private tuition: $14,343

Average public college tuition: $12,226

The smallest state in the U.S. has high education costs, with a private school tuition of over $14,000. For those who decide to send their children to college, they must be prepared for the high cost — and possibly debt. Rhode Island is one of the states with the highest average student loan debt.

Average private tuition: $16,566

Average public college tuition: $7,940

Given the high cost of living in New York, sending a child to a private elementary through high school will set you back over $16,500. Meanwhile, the cost of public college in the state is far less than private school — a difference of more than $8,600.

Average private tuition: $20,907

Average public college tuition: $9,965

Deciding to attend private school in Maine will cost more than double the tuition needed to attend a public university. For that reason, Maine is one of the states where private school costs more than college.

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Sources: College Board, Public Four-Year In-State Tuition and Fees, 2017-18; Private School Review, Average Private School Tuition Cost, 2017-18. Please note: This is not a definitive list.