Is private school cheaper in Alexandria or Palmdale?

Palmdale has lower average private school tuition at $14,900/year vs $18,800/year in Alexandria. That's $3,900/year less, or $50,700 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Palmdale is $3,900/year less than Alexandria. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $50,700 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $12,900/year in Alexandria, $9,700/year in Palmdale.

How do Alexandria and Palmdale 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). Palmdale averages $14,900/year ($2,550 above average).

Private School Cost: Alexandria vs Palmdale

Palmdale averages $3,900/year less for private school (26% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $50,700 per child.

Bottom Line

Palmdale is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $14,900/year vs $18,800/year in Alexandria. Religious schools run $9,700/year on the low end.

Alexandria

$18,800

avg tuition/year

$6,450 above national avg

Palmdale

$14,900

avg tuition/year

$2,550 above national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Alexandria	Palmdale	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$18,800/yr	$14,900/yr	+$3,900
Religious Schools	$12,900/yr	$9,700/yr	+$3,200
Independent/Prep	$37,600/yr	$29,000/yr	+$8,600
Elementary (K-5)	$16,000/yr	$12,700/yr	+$3,300
Middle School (6-8)	$18,800/yr	$14,900/yr	+$3,900
High School (9-12)	$22,600/yr	$17,900/yr	+$4,700

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Alexandria

$244,400

Palmdale

$193,700

Choosing Palmdale saves $50,700 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $101,400.

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

Palmdale

Palmdale Aerospace Academy (Private)

Independent · K–12 · $10,200/yr

St. Mary School (Palmdale)

Catholic · K–8 · $8,200-$9,800/yr

Full Alexandria breakdown → Full Palmdale 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.