Is private school cheaper in Chesapeake or Tacoma?

Tacoma has lower average private school tuition at $13,700/year vs $14,300/year in Chesapeake. That's $600/year less, or $7,800 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Tacoma is $600/year less than Chesapeake. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $7,800 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $9,800/year in Chesapeake, $9,400/year in Tacoma.

How do Chesapeake and Tacoma 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). Tacoma averages $13,700/year ($1,350 above average).

Private School Cost: Chesapeake vs Tacoma

Tacoma averages $600/year less for private school (4% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $7,800 per child.

Bottom Line

Tacoma is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $13,700/year vs $14,300/year in Chesapeake. Religious schools run $9,400/year on the low end.

Chesapeake

$14,300

avg tuition/year

$1,950 above national avg

Tacoma

$13,700

avg tuition/year

$1,350 above national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Chesapeake	Tacoma	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$14,300/yr	$13,700/yr	+$600
Religious Schools	$9,800/yr	$9,400/yr	+$400
Independent/Prep	$28,500/yr	$29,400/yr	-$900
Elementary (K-5)	$12,200/yr	$11,600/yr	+$600
Middle School (6-8)	$14,300/yr	$13,700/yr	+$600
High School (9-12)	$17,200/yr	$16,400/yr	+$800

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Chesapeake

$185,900

Tacoma

$178,100

Choosing Tacoma saves $7,800 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $15,600.

Sample Schools

Chesapeake

Greenbrier Christian Academy

Christian · K–12 · $9,400-$11,800/yr

Norfolk Academy

Independent · K–12 · $23,800/yr

Tacoma

Charles Wright Academy

Independent · PK–12 · $28,400/yr

Bellarmine Preparatory School

Catholic · 9–12 · $18,400/yr

Full Chesapeake breakdown → Full Tacoma breakdown →

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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.