Is private school cheaper in Alexandria or Springfield?

Springfield has lower average private school tuition at $7,700/year vs $18,800/year in Alexandria. That's $11,100/year less, or $144,300 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Springfield is $11,100/year less than Alexandria. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $144,300 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $12,900/year in Alexandria, $5,500/year in Springfield.

How do Alexandria and Springfield 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). Springfield averages $7,700/year ($4,650 below average).

Private School Cost: Alexandria vs Springfield

Springfield averages $11,100/year less for private school (144% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $144,300 per child.

Bottom Line

Springfield is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $7,700/year vs $18,800/year in Alexandria. Religious schools run $5,500/year on the low end.

Alexandria

$18,800

avg tuition/year

$6,450 above national avg

Springfield

$7,700

avg tuition/year

$4,650 below national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Alexandria	Springfield	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$18,800/yr	$7,700/yr	+$11,100
Religious Schools	$12,900/yr	$5,500/yr	+$7,400
Independent/Prep	$37,600/yr	$18,000/yr	+$19,600
Elementary (K-5)	$16,000/yr	$6,500/yr	+$9,500
Middle School (6-8)	$18,800/yr	$7,700/yr	+$11,100
High School (9-12)	$22,600/yr	$9,200/yr	+$13,400

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Alexandria

$244,400

Springfield

$100,100

Choosing Springfield saves $144,300 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $288,600.

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

Springfield

Greenwood Laboratory School (Springfield MO)

Independent · PK–12 · $8,800-$11,200/yr

St. Agnes Cathedral School

Catholic · K–8 · $7,800-$9,600/yr

Full Alexandria breakdown → Full Springfield breakdown →

Virginia private school costs Missouri 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.