Stuart Country Day School Photo - The front of Stuart Country Day School of the Sacred Heart in Princeton, NJ.

Best New Jersey Private Schools (2026)

For the 2026 school year, there are 1,374 private schools serving 217,877 students in New Jersey (there are 2,569 public schools, serving 1,360,135 students). 14% of all K-12 students in New Jersey attend private schools (compared to the national average of 10%).
The average private school tuition is $18,298 for elementary schools and $23,776 for high schools (view national tuition averages).
The top-ranked private schools in New Jersey include The Lawrenceville School, Delbarton School, and Princeton Day School.
The average acceptance rate is 78% (view national acceptance rates). Minority enrollment is 40% and the student-teacher ratio is 11:1.
44% of schools are religiously affiliated, with most being Catholic or Jewish.

Overview

This State (NJ)
US
# Schools
1,374 Schools

Student Body:

# Students
217,877 Students
5,709,608 Students
% Average Students of Color
40%
34%

Student By Grade

Academics and Faculty:

# Teachers
20,239 Teachers
508,013 Teachers
Average Student-Teacher Ratio
11:1
11:1
% Average Faculty w/Advanced Degree
54%
55%
Average Class Size
14 students
15 students
Average Number of AP Courses
15 courses
13 courses
Average SAT score
1262
(Out of 1600)
1233
Average ACT score
29
(Out of 36)
26

Tuition and Acceptance Rate:

Average Yearly Tuition Cost
$18,822
$14,889
Average Summer Program Cost
$841
$1,154
Average % on Financial Aid
27%
35%
Average Financial Aid Grant
$16,414
$7,118
Average Acceptance Rate
78%
82%
Average Endowment Size
$57.49 million
$61.83 million

Students by Ethnicity:

0.63
0.65
# American Indian Students
942 Students
30,180 Students
% American Indian Students
1%
1%
# Asian Students
11,318 Students
265,302 Students
% Asian Students
5%
5%
# Hispanic Students
15,575 Students
507,894 Students
% Hispanic Students
7%
9%
# Black Students
14,114 Students
417,176 Students
% Black Students
7%
7%
# White Students
116,454 Students
2,937,451 Students
% White Students
53%
52%
# Hawaiian Students
292 Students
22,254 Students
% Hawaiian Students
n/a
n/a
# Two or more races Students
n/a
n/a
% of Two or more races Students
n/a
n/a
# Others Students
59,277 Students
1,473,886 Students
% of Others Students
27%
26%
All Ethnic Groups

Extracurriculars and Sports:

Average Number of Extracurriculars
12 extracurriculars
9 extracurriculars
Average Number of Sports
7 sports
7 sports

Top-Ranked New Jersey Private Schools by County (2026)

County
# Schools
# Students
% of K-12 Students in Private Schools
166
28,327
17%
73
11,200
12%
95
16,136
10%
56
10,384
11%
77
11,210
16%
120
15,418
11%
130
19,987
17%
96
11,786
14%
132
35,975
35%
71
11,317
12%
78
9,998
17%
22
2,856
13%
92
14,056
12%
11
1,056
6%

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the top-ranked private schools in New Jersey?
The top-ranked private schools in New Jersey include The Lawrenceville School, Delbarton School, and Princeton Day School.
How many private schools are located in New Jersey?
There are 1,374 private schools are located in New Jersey.
How much do private schools cost in New Jersey?
The average private school tuition in New Jersey is $18,298 for elementary schools and $23,776 for high schools
How diverse are private schools in New Jersey?
Approximately 40% of students in New Jersey private schools are minority students (compared to the national percentage).
What percentage of students in New Jersey go to private school?
14% of all K-12 students in New Jersey attend private schools (compared to the national average of 10%).
What percentage of private schools are religiously affiliated in New Jersey?
44% of private schools in New Jersey are religiously affiliated, with most being Catholic or Jewish.
Which private schools in New Jersey are often viewed compared to one another?

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