Is private school cheaper in Austin or Virginia Beach?

Virginia Beach has lower average private school tuition at $13,200/year vs $15,500/year in Austin. That's $2,300/year less, or $29,900 over a K-12 career.

How much can I save on private school by choosing Virginia Beach over Austin?

Average tuition in Virginia Beach is $2,300/year less than Austin. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $29,900 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $9,400/year in Austin, $8,600/year in Virginia Beach.

How do Austin and Virginia Beach private school costs compare to the national average?

The national average private school tuition is $12,350/year. Austin averages $15,500/year ($3,150 above average). Virginia Beach averages $13,200/year ($850 above average).

Private School Cost: Austin vs Virginia Beach

Virginia Beach averages $2,300/year less for private school (17% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $29,900 per child.

Bottom Line

Virginia Beach is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $13,200/year vs $15,500/year in Austin. Religious schools run $8,600/year on the low end.

Austin

$15,500

avg tuition/year

$3,150 above national avg

Virginia Beach

$13,200

avg tuition/year

$850 above national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Austin	Virginia Beach	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$15,500/yr	$13,200/yr	+$2,300
Religious Schools	$9,400/yr	$8,600/yr	+$800
Independent/Prep	$28,200/yr	$24,500/yr	+$3,700
Elementary (K-5)	$12,800/yr	$10,800/yr	+$2,000
Middle School (6-8)	$15,500/yr	$13,200/yr	+$2,300
High School (9-12)	$19,200/yr	$16,200/yr	+$3,000

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Austin

$201,500

Virginia Beach

$171,600

Choosing Virginia Beach saves $29,900 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $59,800.

Sample Schools

Austin

St. Andrew's Episcopal School (Austin)

Independent · PK–12 · $32,800-$35,400/yr

Austin Preparatory School

Catholic · 6–12 · $14,200/yr

St. Michael's Catholic Academy

Catholic · 9–12 · $15,800/yr

Hyde Park Baptist School

Christian · PK–12 · $13,400-$15,200/yr

Virginia Beach

Norfolk Academy

Independent · 1–12 · $24,800-$27,200/yr

Cape Henry Collegiate School

Independent · PK–12 · $22,400-$24,800/yr

Bishop Sullivan Catholic High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $13,800/yr

Kellam High School (Public)

Public (Reference) · 9–12

Full Austin breakdown → Full Virginia Beach breakdown →

Texas private school costs Virginia private school costs

Related Comparisons

Houston vs Austin → Dallas vs Austin → Austin vs San Antonio → Austin vs Raleigh →

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.