What are New Jersey’s most expensive private schools?

• Private high schools, specifically, cost New Jersey parents an average of $23,783 a year in 2026.

Shopping for a New Jersey private school? A new report from the Private School Review finds the average cost for a year of private school in New Jersey is $18,825 in 2026.

Private high schools, specifically, cost New Jersey parents an average of $23,783 a year in 2026, according to the report. Elementary schools were slightly less expensive, with an average cost of $18,301 per year.

New Jersey’s private school costs are higher than the national average, which are $12,500 for private elementary school and $16,200 for private high school, according Private School Review.

Despite the high cost, private schools remain popular with many parents across the state. In 2021, New Jersey had 210,580 students enrolled in 1,050 private schools, according to the National Center of Education Statistics.

The Lawrenceville School in Mercer County is New Jersey’s most expensive private school, according to Private School Review. Tuition at this boarding school and college prep academy exceeds $80,000 annually, according to the website.

According to Private School Review, New Jersey’s six most expensive private schools are:

• The Lawrenceville School, Mercer County, with tuition of $80,680.
• Blair Academy, Blairstown, Warren County, with tuition of $72,700.
• Dwight-Englewood School, Englewood, Bergen County, with tuition of $61,400.
• Cambridge School (special education), Pennington, Mercer County, with tuition of $58,550.
• Peddie School, Hightstown, Mercer County, with tuition of $58,100.
• Lakeland Andover School (special education), Newton, Sussex County, with tuition of $55,800.

According to Private School Review, the six least expensive private schools in New Jersey, excluding daycares and preschools, are:

• Melamed (Jewish) Academy in East Brunswick, Middlesex County, with tuition of $2,350.
• St. Charles Borromeo (Catholic) School, Riverton, Burlington County, with tuition at $3,000.
• Wildwood Catholic Academy, Cape May County, with tuition of $3,100.
• Academy of Our Lady (Catholic), Glen Rock, Bergen County, with tuition of $3,268.
• Shiras Chaim (all-girls, Jewish), Lakewood, Ocean County, with tuition at $3,500.
• Sinai Christian Academy (Montessori), Linden, Union County, with tuition of $3,500.

Amanda Oglesby is an Ocean County native who covers education and the environment. She has worked for the Press for more than 18 years. Reach her at aoglesby@gannettnj.com or 732-557-5701.