Is private school cheaper in Alexandria or Santa Clarita?

Santa Clarita has lower average private school tuition at $18,000/year vs $18,800/year in Alexandria. That's $800/year less, or $10,400 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Santa Clarita is $800/year less than Alexandria. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $10,400 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $12,900/year in Alexandria, $11,700/year in Santa Clarita.

How do Alexandria and Santa Clarita 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). Santa Clarita averages $18,000/year ($5,650 above average).

Private School Cost: Alexandria vs Santa Clarita

Santa Clarita averages $800/year less for private school (4% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $10,400 per child.

Bottom Line

Santa Clarita is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $18,000/year vs $18,800/year in Alexandria. Religious schools run $11,700/year on the low end.

Alexandria

$18,800

avg tuition/year

$6,450 above national avg

Santa Clarita

$18,000

avg tuition/year

$5,650 above national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Alexandria	Santa Clarita	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$18,800/yr	$18,000/yr	+$800
Religious Schools	$12,900/yr	$11,700/yr	+$1,200
Independent/Prep	$37,600/yr	$35,100/yr	+$2,500
Elementary (K-5)	$16,000/yr	$15,300/yr	+$700
Middle School (6-8)	$18,800/yr	$18,000/yr	+$800
High School (9-12)	$22,600/yr	$21,600/yr	+$1,000

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Alexandria

$244,400

Santa Clarita

$234,000

Choosing Santa Clarita saves $10,400 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $20,800.

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

Santa Clarita

The Masters School (Santa Clarita)

Christian · K–12 · $14,800/yr

West Ranch Academy

Independent · 9–12 · $12,400/yr

Full Alexandria breakdown → Full Santa Clarita breakdown →

Virginia private school costs California 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.