Is private school cheaper in Cedar Rapids or Washington DC?

Cedar Rapids has lower average private school tuition at $6,800/year vs $28,400/year in Washington DC. That's $21,600/year less, or $280,800 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Cedar Rapids is $21,600/year less than Washington DC. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $280,800 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $4,800/year in Cedar Rapids, $15,200/year in Washington DC.

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

The national average private school tuition is $12,350/year. Cedar Rapids averages $6,800/year ($5,550 below average). Washington DC averages $28,400/year ($16,050 above average).

Private School Cost: Cedar Rapids vs Washington DC

Cedar Rapids averages $21,600/year less for private school (318% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $280,800 per child.

Bottom Line

Cedar Rapids is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $6,800/year vs $28,400/year in Washington DC. Religious schools run $4,800/year on the low end.

Cedar Rapids

$6,800

avg tuition/year

$5,550 below national avg

Lower cost

Washington DC

$28,400

avg tuition/year

$16,050 above national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Cedar Rapids	Washington DC	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$6,800/yr	$28,400/yr	-$21,600
Religious Schools	$4,800/yr	$15,200/yr	-$10,400
Independent/Prep	$14,300/yr	$46,000/yr	-$31,700
Elementary (K-5)	$5,800/yr	$23,000/yr	-$17,200
Middle School (6-8)	$6,800/yr	$28,400/yr	-$21,600
High School (9-12)	$8,200/yr	$35,500/yr	-$27,300

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Cedar Rapids

$88,400

Washington DC

$369,200

Choosing Cedar Rapids saves $280,800 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $561,600.

Sample Schools

Cedar Rapids

Xavier High School (Cedar Rapids)

Catholic · 9–12 · $9,400/yr

Cedar Rapids Christian School

Christian · K–12 · $8,400-$10,400/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 Cedar Rapids breakdown → Full Washington DC breakdown →

Iowa 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.