Is private school cheaper in Alexandria or Manchester?

Manchester has lower average private school tuition at $18,200/year vs $18,800/year in Alexandria. That's $600/year less, or $7,800 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Manchester is $600/year less than Alexandria. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $7,800 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $12,900/year in Alexandria, $10,400/year in Manchester.

How do Alexandria and Manchester 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). Manchester averages $18,200/year ($5,850 above average).

Private School Cost: Alexandria vs Manchester

Manchester averages $600/year less for private school (3% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $7,800 per child.

Bottom Line

Manchester is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $18,200/year vs $18,800/year in Alexandria. Religious schools run $10,400/year on the low end.

Alexandria

$18,800

avg tuition/year

$6,450 above national avg

Manchester

$18,200

avg tuition/year

$5,850 above national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Alexandria	Manchester	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$18,800/yr	$18,200/yr	+$600
Religious Schools	$12,900/yr	$10,400/yr	+$2,500
Independent/Prep	$37,600/yr	$39,300/yr	-$1,700
Elementary (K-5)	$16,000/yr	$15,500/yr	+$500
Middle School (6-8)	$18,800/yr	$18,200/yr	+$600
High School (9-12)	$22,600/yr	$21,800/yr	+$800

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Alexandria

$244,400

Manchester

$236,600

Choosing Manchester saves $7,800 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $15,600.

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

Manchester

Manchester Central Catholic High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $12,400/yr

Derryfield School (Manchester NH)

Independent · 6–12 · $27,400/yr

Full Alexandria breakdown → Full Manchester breakdown →

Virginia private school costs New Hampshire 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.