Is private school cheaper in Bellevue or Chesapeake?

Chesapeake has lower average private school tuition at $14,300/year vs $18,600/year in Bellevue. That's $4,300/year less, or $55,900 over a K-12 career.

How much can I save on private school by choosing Chesapeake over Bellevue?

Average tuition in Chesapeake is $4,300/year less than Bellevue. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $55,900 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $12,700/year in Bellevue, $9,800/year in Chesapeake.

How do Bellevue and Chesapeake private school costs compare to the national average?

The national average private school tuition is $12,350/year. Bellevue averages $18,600/year ($6,250 above average). Chesapeake averages $14,300/year ($1,950 above average).

Private School Cost: Bellevue vs Chesapeake

Chesapeake averages $4,300/year less for private school (30% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $55,900 per child.

Bottom Line

Chesapeake is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $14,300/year vs $18,600/year in Bellevue. Religious schools run $9,800/year on the low end.

Bellevue

$18,600

avg tuition/year

$6,250 above national avg

Chesapeake

$14,300

avg tuition/year

$1,950 above national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Bellevue	Chesapeake	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$18,600/yr	$14,300/yr	+$4,300
Religious Schools	$12,700/yr	$9,800/yr	+$2,900
Independent/Prep	$39,700/yr	$28,500/yr	+$11,200
Elementary (K-5)	$15,800/yr	$12,200/yr	+$3,600
Middle School (6-8)	$18,600/yr	$14,300/yr	+$4,300
High School (9-12)	$22,300/yr	$17,200/yr	+$5,100

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Bellevue

$241,800

Chesapeake

$185,900

Choosing Chesapeake saves $55,900 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $111,800.

Sample Schools

Bellevue

The Overlake School

Independent · 5–12 · $37,800/yr

Bellevue Christian School

Christian · PK–12 · $14,200/yr

Bellarmine Preparatory School (Tacoma)

Catholic · 9–12 · $18,400/yr

Chesapeake

Greenbrier Christian Academy

Christian · K–12 · $9,400-$11,800/yr

Norfolk Academy

Independent · K–12 · $23,800/yr

Full Bellevue breakdown → Full Chesapeake breakdown →

Washington private school costs Virginia 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.