Is private school cheaper in Denver or Washington DC?

Denver has lower average private school tuition at $16,400/year vs $28,400/year in Washington DC. That's $12,000/year less, or $156,000 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Denver is $12,000/year less than Washington DC. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $156,000 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $9,800/year in Denver, $15,200/year in Washington DC.

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

The national average private school tuition is $12,350/year. Denver averages $16,400/year ($4,050 above average). Washington DC averages $28,400/year ($16,050 above average).

Private School Cost: Denver vs Washington DC

Denver averages $12,000/year less for private school (73% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $156,000 per child.

Bottom Line

Denver is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $16,400/year vs $28,400/year in Washington DC. Religious schools run $9,800/year on the low end.

Denver

$16,400

avg tuition/year

$4,050 above national avg

Lower cost

Washington DC

$28,400

avg tuition/year

$16,050 above national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Denver	Washington DC	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$16,400/yr	$28,400/yr	-$12,000
Religious Schools	$9,800/yr	$15,200/yr	-$5,400
Independent/Prep	$28,500/yr	$46,000/yr	-$17,500
Elementary (K-5)	$13,500/yr	$23,000/yr	-$9,500
Middle School (6-8)	$16,400/yr	$28,400/yr	-$12,000
High School (9-12)	$20,200/yr	$35,500/yr	-$15,300

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Denver

$213,200

Washington DC

$369,200

Choosing Denver saves $156,000 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $312,000.

Sample Schools

Denver

Kent Denver School

Independent · 6–12 · $35,200-$37,800/yr

Colorado Academy

Independent · PK–12 · $33,800-$36,400/yr

Regis Jesuit High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $18,800/yr

Mullen High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $17,400/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 Denver breakdown → Full Washington DC breakdown →

Colorado private school costs District of Columbia private school costs

Related Comparisons

Denver vs Phoenix → Seattle vs Denver → Washington DC vs Atlanta → Denver 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.