Is private school cheaper in Fort Lauderdale or Richmond?

Fort Lauderdale has lower average private school tuition at $11,700/year vs $14,500/year in Richmond. That's $2,800/year less, or $36,400 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Fort Lauderdale is $2,800/year less than Richmond. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $36,400 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $8,100/year in Fort Lauderdale, $9,200/year in Richmond.

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

The national average private school tuition is $12,350/year. Fort Lauderdale averages $11,700/year ($650 below average). Richmond averages $14,500/year ($2,150 above average).

Private School Cost: Fort Lauderdale vs Richmond

Fort Lauderdale averages $2,800/year less for private school (24% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $36,400 per child.

Bottom Line

Fort Lauderdale is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $11,700/year vs $14,500/year in Richmond. Religious schools run $8,100/year on the low end.

Fort Lauderdale

$11,700

avg tuition/year

$650 below national avg

Lower cost

Richmond

$14,500

avg tuition/year

$2,150 above national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Fort Lauderdale	Richmond	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$11,700/yr	$14,500/yr	-$2,800
Religious Schools	$8,100/yr	$9,200/yr	-$1,100
Independent/Prep	$24,100/yr	$27,000/yr	-$2,900
Elementary (K-5)	$9,900/yr	$11,800/yr	-$1,900
Middle School (6-8)	$11,700/yr	$14,500/yr	-$2,800
High School (9-12)	$14,000/yr	$18,000/yr	-$4,000

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Fort Lauderdale

$152,100

Richmond

$188,500

Choosing Fort Lauderdale saves $36,400 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $72,800.

Sample Schools

Fort Lauderdale

Pine Crest School

Independent · PK–12 · $34,800/yr

Cardinal Gibbons High School (Ft. Laud.)

Catholic · 9–12 · $14,800/yr

Westminster Academy

Christian · PK–12 · $18,400/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 Fort Lauderdale breakdown → Full Richmond breakdown →

Florida private school costs Virginia 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.