Is private school cheaper in Carlsbad or Washington DC?

Carlsbad has lower average private school tuition at $18,800/year vs $28,400/year in Washington DC. That's $9,600/year less, or $124,800 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Carlsbad is $9,600/year less than Washington DC. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $124,800 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $12,200/year in Carlsbad, $15,200/year in Washington DC.

How do Carlsbad and Washington DC private school costs compare to the national average?

The national average private school tuition is $12,350/year. Carlsbad averages $18,800/year ($6,450 above average). Washington DC averages $28,400/year ($16,050 above average).

Private School Cost: Carlsbad vs Washington DC

Carlsbad averages $9,600/year less for private school (51% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $124,800 per child.

Bottom Line

Carlsbad is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $18,800/year vs $28,400/year in Washington DC. Religious schools run $12,200/year on the low end.

Carlsbad

$18,800

avg tuition/year

$6,450 above national avg

Lower cost

Washington DC

$28,400

avg tuition/year

$16,050 above national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Carlsbad	Washington DC	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$18,800/yr	$28,400/yr	-$9,600
Religious Schools	$12,200/yr	$15,200/yr	-$3,000
Independent/Prep	$36,600/yr	$46,000/yr	-$9,400
Elementary (K-5)	$16,000/yr	$23,000/yr	-$7,000
Middle School (6-8)	$18,800/yr	$28,400/yr	-$9,600
High School (9-12)	$22,600/yr	$35,500/yr	-$12,900

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Carlsbad

$244,400

Washington DC

$369,200

Choosing Carlsbad saves $124,800 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $249,600.

Sample Schools

Carlsbad

Army Navy Academy (Carlsbad)

Independent (Military) · 7–12 · $47,500-$52,000/yr

Pacific Ridge School

Independent · 6–12 · $34,200/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 Carlsbad breakdown → Full Washington DC breakdown →

California private school costs District of Columbia private school costs

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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.