Is private school cheaper in Albany or Richmond?

Richmond has lower average private school tuition at $14,500/year vs $19,700/year in Albany. That's $5,200/year less, or $67,600 over a K-12 career.

How much can I save on private school by choosing Richmond over Albany?

Average tuition in Richmond is $5,200/year less than Albany. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $67,600 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $11,300/year in Albany, $9,200/year in Richmond.

How do Albany and Richmond private school costs compare to the national average?

The national average private school tuition is $12,350/year. Albany averages $19,700/year ($7,350 above average). Richmond averages $14,500/year ($2,150 above average).

Private School Cost: Albany vs Richmond

Richmond averages $5,200/year less for private school (36% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $67,600 per child.

Bottom Line

Richmond is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $14,500/year vs $19,700/year in Albany. Religious schools run $9,200/year on the low end.

Albany

$19,700

avg tuition/year

$7,350 above national avg

Richmond

$14,500

avg tuition/year

$2,150 above national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Albany	Richmond	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$19,700/yr	$14,500/yr	+$5,200
Religious Schools	$11,300/yr	$9,200/yr	+$2,100
Independent/Prep	$41,900/yr	$27,000/yr	+$14,900
Elementary (K-5)	$16,700/yr	$11,800/yr	+$4,900
Middle School (6-8)	$19,700/yr	$14,500/yr	+$5,200
High School (9-12)	$23,600/yr	$18,000/yr	+$5,600

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Albany

$256,100

Richmond

$188,500

Choosing Richmond saves $67,600 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $135,200.

Sample Schools

Albany

Albany Academy (NY)

Independent · PK–12 · $28,400/yr

Vincentian Institute

Catholic · PK–12 · $12,800/yr

Richmond

St. Catherine's School (Richmond)

Independent · PK–12 · $28,800-$31,400/yr

St. Christopher's School

Independent · K–12 · $29,200-$31,800/yr

Collegiate School (Richmond)

Independent · PK–12 · $30,400-$32,800/yr

Benedictine College Preparatory

Catholic · 9–12 · $16,200/yr

Full Albany breakdown → Full Richmond breakdown →

New York private school costs Virginia 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.