Is private school cheaper in Boston or Washington DC?

Washington DC has lower average private school tuition at $28,400/year vs $36,800/year in Boston. That's $8,400/year less, or $109,200 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Washington DC is $8,400/year less than Boston. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $109,200 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $18,500/year in Boston, $15,200/year in Washington DC.

How do Boston and Washington DC 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). Washington DC averages $28,400/year ($16,050 above average).

Private School Cost: Boston vs Washington DC

Washington DC averages $8,400/year less for private school (30% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $109,200 per child.

Bottom Line

Washington DC is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $28,400/year vs $36,800/year in Boston. Religious schools run $15,200/year on the low end.

Boston

$36,800

avg tuition/year

$24,450 above national avg

Washington DC

$28,400

avg tuition/year

$16,050 above national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Boston	Washington DC	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$36,800/yr	$28,400/yr	+$8,400
Religious Schools	$18,500/yr	$15,200/yr	+$3,300
Independent/Prep	$56,000/yr	$46,000/yr	+$10,000
Elementary (K-5)	$30,000/yr	$23,000/yr	+$7,000
Middle School (6-8)	$36,800/yr	$28,400/yr	+$8,400
High School (9-12)	$46,000/yr	$35,500/yr	+$10,500

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Boston

$478,400

Washington DC

$369,200

Choosing Washington DC saves $109,200 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $218,400.

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

Washington DC

Sidwell Friends School

Independent (Quaker) · PK–12 · $52,900/yr

Georgetown Day School

Independent · PK–12 · $51,400/yr

National Cathedral School

Independent · 4–12 · $50,200/yr

Gonzaga College High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $25,400/yr

Full Boston breakdown → Full Washington DC breakdown →

Massachusetts private school costs District of Columbia private school costs

Related Comparisons

New York vs Boston → Boston vs Phoenix → Washington DC vs Atlanta → Boston vs Philadelphia →

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.