Is private school cheaper in Alexandria or Elgin?

Elgin has lower average private school tuition at $11,700/year vs $18,800/year in Alexandria. That's $7,100/year less, or $92,300 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Elgin is $7,100/year less than Alexandria. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $92,300 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $12,900/year in Alexandria, $7,400/year in Elgin.

How do Alexandria and Elgin 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). Elgin averages $11,700/year ($650 below average).

Private School Cost: Alexandria vs Elgin

Elgin averages $7,100/year less for private school (61% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $92,300 per child.

Bottom Line

Elgin is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $11,700/year vs $18,800/year in Alexandria. Religious schools run $7,400/year on the low end.

Alexandria

$18,800

avg tuition/year

$6,450 above national avg

Elgin

$11,700

avg tuition/year

$650 below national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Alexandria	Elgin	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$18,800/yr	$11,700/yr	+$7,100
Religious Schools	$12,900/yr	$7,400/yr	+$5,500
Independent/Prep	$37,600/yr	$27,100/yr	+$10,500
Elementary (K-5)	$16,000/yr	$9,900/yr	+$6,100
Middle School (6-8)	$18,800/yr	$11,700/yr	+$7,100
High School (9-12)	$22,600/yr	$14,000/yr	+$8,600

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Alexandria

$244,400

Elgin

$152,100

Choosing Elgin saves $92,300 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $184,600.

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

Elgin

Timothy Christian Schools (Elgin)

Christian · K–12 · $11,200-$13,800/yr

St. Edward Central Catholic High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $12,400/yr

Full Alexandria breakdown → Full Elgin 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.