Is private school cheaper in Boston or Richmond?

Richmond has lower average private school tuition at $14,500/year vs $36,800/year in Boston. That's $22,300/year less, or $289,900 over a K-12 career.

How much can I save on private school by choosing Richmond over Boston?

Average tuition in Richmond is $22,300/year less than Boston. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $289,900 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $18,500/year in Boston, $9,200/year in Richmond.

How do Boston and Richmond private school costs compare to the national average?

The national average private school tuition is $12,350/year. Boston averages $36,800/year ($24,450 above average). Richmond averages $14,500/year ($2,150 above average).

Private School Cost: Boston vs Richmond

Richmond averages $22,300/year less for private school (154% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $289,900 per child.

Bottom Line

Richmond is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $14,500/year vs $36,800/year in Boston. Religious schools run $9,200/year on the low end.

Boston

$36,800

avg tuition/year

$24,450 above national avg

Richmond

$14,500

avg tuition/year

$2,150 above national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Boston	Richmond	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$36,800/yr	$14,500/yr	+$22,300
Religious Schools	$18,500/yr	$9,200/yr	+$9,300
Independent/Prep	$56,000/yr	$27,000/yr	+$29,000
Elementary (K-5)	$30,000/yr	$11,800/yr	+$18,200
Middle School (6-8)	$36,800/yr	$14,500/yr	+$22,300
High School (9-12)	$46,000/yr	$18,000/yr	+$28,000

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Boston

$478,400

Richmond

$188,500

Choosing Richmond saves $289,900 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $579,800.

Sample Schools

Boston

Boston Latin School (Exam)

Exam School (Public) · 7–12

Roxbury Latin School

Independent (need-based) · 7–12

Belmont Hill School

Independent · 7–12 · $59,800/yr

Boston College High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $23,100/yr

Richmond

St. Catherine's School (Richmond)

Independent · PK–12 · $28,800-$31,400/yr

St. Christopher's School

Independent · K–12 · $29,200-$31,800/yr

Collegiate School (Richmond)

Independent · PK–12 · $30,400-$32,800/yr

Benedictine College Preparatory

Catholic · 9–12 · $16,200/yr

Full Boston breakdown → Full Richmond breakdown →

Massachusetts private school costs Virginia private school costs

Related Comparisons

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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.