Is private school cheaper in Alexandria or Meridian?

Meridian has lower average private school tuition at $7,800/year vs $18,800/year in Alexandria. That's $11,000/year less, or $143,000 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Meridian is $11,000/year less than Alexandria. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $143,000 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $12,900/year in Alexandria, $5,300/year in Meridian.

How do Alexandria and Meridian 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). Meridian averages $7,800/year ($4,550 below average).

Private School Cost: Alexandria vs Meridian

Meridian averages $11,000/year less for private school (141% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $143,000 per child.

Bottom Line

Meridian is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $7,800/year vs $18,800/year in Alexandria. Religious schools run $5,300/year on the low end.

Alexandria

$18,800

avg tuition/year

$6,450 above national avg

Meridian

$7,800

avg tuition/year

$4,550 below national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Alexandria	Meridian	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$18,800/yr	$7,800/yr	+$11,000
Religious Schools	$12,900/yr	$5,300/yr	+$7,600
Independent/Prep	$37,600/yr	$15,100/yr	+$22,500
Elementary (K-5)	$16,000/yr	$6,600/yr	+$9,400
Middle School (6-8)	$18,800/yr	$7,800/yr	+$11,000
High School (9-12)	$22,600/yr	$9,400/yr	+$13,200

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Alexandria

$244,400

Meridian

$101,400

Choosing Meridian saves $143,000 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $286,000.

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

Meridian

Nampa Christian Schools

Christian · K–12 · $9,200-$11,400/yr

Victory Charter School (Meridian)

Independent · K–12 · $8,400-$10,400/yr

Full Alexandria breakdown → Full Meridian 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.