Is private school cheaper in Chesapeake or Frederick?

Chesapeake has lower average private school tuition at $14,300/year vs $16,700/year in Frederick. That's $2,400/year less, or $31,200 over a K-12 career.

How much can I save on private school by choosing Chesapeake over Frederick?

Average tuition in Chesapeake is $2,400/year less than Frederick. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $31,200 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $9,800/year in Chesapeake, $11,300/year in Frederick.

How do Chesapeake and Frederick private school costs compare to the national average?

The national average private school tuition is $12,350/year. Chesapeake averages $14,300/year ($1,950 above average). Frederick averages $16,700/year ($4,350 above average).

Private School Cost: Chesapeake vs Frederick

Chesapeake averages $2,400/year less for private school (17% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $31,200 per child.

Bottom Line

Chesapeake is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $14,300/year vs $16,700/year in Frederick. Religious schools run $9,800/year on the low end.

Chesapeake

$14,300

avg tuition/year

$1,950 above national avg

Lower cost

Frederick

$16,700

avg tuition/year

$4,350 above national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Chesapeake	Frederick	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$14,300/yr	$16,700/yr	-$2,400
Religious Schools	$9,800/yr	$11,300/yr	-$1,500
Independent/Prep	$28,500/yr	$35,100/yr	-$6,600
Elementary (K-5)	$12,200/yr	$14,200/yr	-$2,000
Middle School (6-8)	$14,300/yr	$16,700/yr	-$2,400
High School (9-12)	$17,200/yr	$20,000/yr	-$2,800

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Chesapeake

$185,900

Frederick

$217,100

Choosing Chesapeake saves $31,200 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $62,400.

Sample Schools

Chesapeake

Greenbrier Christian Academy

Christian · K–12 · $9,400-$11,800/yr

Norfolk Academy

Independent · K–12 · $23,800/yr

Frederick

Frederick Classical Charter School (Private Prep)

Independent · K–12 · $11,200/yr

Visitation Academy (Frederick MD)

Catholic · PK–8 · $12,400/yr

Full Chesapeake breakdown → Full Frederick breakdown →

Virginia private school costs Maryland private school costs

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.