Is private school cheaper in Dallas or Washington DC?

Dallas has lower average private school tuition at $17,200/year vs $28,400/year in Washington DC. That's $11,200/year less, or $145,600 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Dallas is $11,200/year less than Washington DC. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $145,600 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $9,500/year in Dallas, $15,200/year in Washington DC.

How do Dallas and Washington DC 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). Washington DC averages $28,400/year ($16,050 above average).

Private School Cost: Dallas vs Washington DC

Dallas averages $11,200/year less for private school (65% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $145,600 per child.

Bottom Line

Dallas is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $17,200/year vs $28,400/year in Washington DC. Religious schools run $9,500/year on the low end.

Dallas

$17,200

avg tuition/year

$4,850 above national avg

Lower cost

Washington DC

$28,400

avg tuition/year

$16,050 above national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Dallas	Washington DC	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$17,200/yr	$28,400/yr	-$11,200
Religious Schools	$9,500/yr	$15,200/yr	-$5,700
Independent/Prep	$30,000/yr	$46,000/yr	-$16,000
Elementary (K-5)	$14,000/yr	$23,000/yr	-$9,000
Middle School (6-8)	$17,200/yr	$28,400/yr	-$11,200
High School (9-12)	$21,000/yr	$35,500/yr	-$14,500

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Dallas

$223,600

Washington DC

$369,200

Choosing Dallas saves $145,600 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $291,200.

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

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 Dallas breakdown → Full Washington DC breakdown →

Texas private school costs District of Columbia 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.