Is private school cheaper in Charlotte or Washington DC?

Charlotte has lower average private school tuition at $13,500/year vs $28,400/year in Washington DC. That's $14,900/year less, or $193,700 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Charlotte is $14,900/year less than Washington DC. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $193,700 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $8,400/year in Charlotte, $15,200/year in Washington DC.

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

The national average private school tuition is $12,350/year. Charlotte averages $13,500/year ($1,150 above average). Washington DC averages $28,400/year ($16,050 above average).

Private School Cost: Charlotte vs Washington DC

Charlotte averages $14,900/year less for private school (110% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $193,700 per child.

Bottom Line

Charlotte is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $13,500/year vs $28,400/year in Washington DC. Religious schools run $8,400/year on the low end.

Charlotte

$13,500

avg tuition/year

$1,150 above national avg

Lower cost

Washington DC

$28,400

avg tuition/year

$16,050 above national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Charlotte	Washington DC	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$13,500/yr	$28,400/yr	-$14,900
Religious Schools	$8,400/yr	$15,200/yr	-$6,800
Independent/Prep	$25,000/yr	$46,000/yr	-$21,000
Elementary (K-5)	$11,000/yr	$23,000/yr	-$12,000
Middle School (6-8)	$13,500/yr	$28,400/yr	-$14,900
High School (9-12)	$16,700/yr	$35,500/yr	-$18,800

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Charlotte

$175,500

Washington DC

$369,200

Choosing Charlotte saves $193,700 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $387,400.

Sample Schools

Charlotte

Charlotte Latin School

Independent · K–12 · $26,800-$29,200/yr

Providence Day School

Independent · PK–12 · $24,800/yr

Myers Park Traditional School

Magnet (Free) · K–12

Charlotte Catholic High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $16,200/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 Charlotte breakdown → Full Washington DC breakdown →

North Carolina private school costs District of Columbia private school costs

Related Comparisons

Atlanta vs Charlotte → Raleigh vs Charlotte → Washington DC vs Atlanta →

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.