Is private school cheaper in Dallas or Richmond?

Richmond has lower average private school tuition at $14,500/year vs $17,200/year in Dallas. That's $2,700/year less, or $35,100 over a K-12 career.

How much can I save on private school by choosing Richmond over Dallas?

Average tuition in Richmond is $2,700/year less than Dallas. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $35,100 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $9,500/year in Dallas, $9,200/year in Richmond.

How do Dallas and Richmond private school costs compare to the national average?

The national average private school tuition is $12,350/year. Dallas averages $17,200/year ($4,850 above average). Richmond averages $14,500/year ($2,150 above average).

Private School Cost: Dallas vs Richmond

Richmond averages $2,700/year less for private school (19% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $35,100 per child.

Bottom Line

Richmond is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $14,500/year vs $17,200/year in Dallas. Religious schools run $9,200/year on the low end.

Dallas

$17,200

avg tuition/year

$4,850 above national avg

Richmond

$14,500

avg tuition/year

$2,150 above national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Dallas	Richmond	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$17,200/yr	$14,500/yr	+$2,700
Religious Schools	$9,500/yr	$9,200/yr	+$300
Independent/Prep	$30,000/yr	$27,000/yr	+$3,000
Elementary (K-5)	$14,000/yr	$11,800/yr	+$2,200
Middle School (6-8)	$17,200/yr	$14,500/yr	+$2,700
High School (9-12)	$21,000/yr	$18,000/yr	+$3,000

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Dallas

$223,600

Richmond

$188,500

Choosing Richmond saves $35,100 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $70,200.

Sample Schools

Dallas

Greenhill School

Independent · PK–12 · $38,400-$41,200/yr

St. Mark's School of Texas

Independent · 1–12 · $38,200/yr

Hockaday School

Independent · PK–12 · $39,800/yr

Jesuit College Preparatory School of Dallas

Catholic · 9–12 · $21,800/yr

Richmond

St. Catherine's School (Richmond)

Independent · PK–12 · $28,800-$31,400/yr

St. Christopher's School

Independent · K–12 · $29,200-$31,800/yr

Collegiate School (Richmond)

Independent · PK–12 · $30,400-$32,800/yr

Benedictine College Preparatory

Catholic · 9–12 · $16,200/yr

Full Dallas breakdown → Full Richmond breakdown →

Texas private school costs Virginia private school costs

Related Comparisons

Houston vs Dallas → Dallas vs Austin → Dallas vs San Antonio → Fort Worth vs Dallas →

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.