Is private school cheaper in Alexandria or Cedar Rapids?

Cedar Rapids has lower average private school tuition at $6,800/year vs $18,800/year in Alexandria. That's $12,000/year less, or $156,000 over a K-12 career.

How much can I save on private school by choosing Cedar Rapids over Alexandria?

Average tuition in Cedar Rapids is $12,000/year less than Alexandria. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $156,000 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $12,900/year in Alexandria, $4,800/year in Cedar Rapids.

How do Alexandria and Cedar Rapids private school costs compare to the national average?

The national average private school tuition is $12,350/year. Alexandria averages $18,800/year ($6,450 above average). Cedar Rapids averages $6,800/year ($5,550 below average).

Private School Cost: Alexandria vs Cedar Rapids

Cedar Rapids averages $12,000/year less for private school (176% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $156,000 per child.

Bottom Line

Cedar Rapids is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $6,800/year vs $18,800/year in Alexandria. Religious schools run $4,800/year on the low end.

Alexandria

$18,800

avg tuition/year

$6,450 above national avg

Cedar Rapids

$6,800

avg tuition/year

$5,550 below national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Alexandria	Cedar Rapids	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$18,800/yr	$6,800/yr	+$12,000
Religious Schools	$12,900/yr	$4,800/yr	+$8,100
Independent/Prep	$37,600/yr	$14,300/yr	+$23,300
Elementary (K-5)	$16,000/yr	$5,800/yr	+$10,200
Middle School (6-8)	$18,800/yr	$6,800/yr	+$12,000
High School (9-12)	$22,600/yr	$8,200/yr	+$14,400

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Alexandria

$244,400

Cedar Rapids

$88,400

Choosing Cedar Rapids saves $156,000 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $312,000.

Sample Schools

Alexandria

Episcopal High School (Alexandria VA)

Independent (Episcopal) · 9–12 · $65,800/yr

Bishop Ireton High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $18,400/yr

Cedar Rapids

Xavier High School (Cedar Rapids)

Catholic · 9–12 · $9,400/yr

Cedar Rapids Christian School

Christian · K–12 · $8,400-$10,400/yr

Full Alexandria breakdown → Full Cedar Rapids 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.