Is private school cheaper in Alexandria or Portland?

Portland 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 Portland over Alexandria?

Average tuition in Portland 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 Portland.

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

Private School Cost: Alexandria vs Portland

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

Bottom Line

Portland 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

Portland

$18,200

avg tuition/year

$5,850 above national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Alexandria	Portland	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	$31,500/yr	+$6,100
Elementary (K-5)	$16,000/yr	$14,800/yr	+$1,200
Middle School (6-8)	$18,800/yr	$18,200/yr	+$600
High School (9-12)	$22,600/yr	$22,500/yr	+$100

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Alexandria

$244,400

Portland

$236,600

Choosing Portland 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

Portland

Catlin Gabel School

Independent · PK–12 · $38,400-$41,200/yr

Oregon Episcopal School

Independent · PK–12 · $34,800/yr

Jesuit High School (Portland)

Catholic · 9–12 · $19,200/yr

Central Catholic High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $14,800/yr

Full Alexandria breakdown → Full Portland breakdown →

Virginia private school costs Oregon private school costs

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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.