Is private school cheaper in Fort Lauderdale or Washington DC?

Fort Lauderdale has lower average private school tuition at $11,700/year vs $28,400/year in Washington DC. That's $16,700/year less, or $217,100 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Fort Lauderdale is $16,700/year less than Washington DC. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $217,100 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $8,100/year in Fort Lauderdale, $15,200/year in Washington DC.

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

Private School Cost: Fort Lauderdale vs Washington DC

Fort Lauderdale averages $16,700/year less for private school (143% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $217,100 per child.

Bottom Line

Fort Lauderdale is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $11,700/year vs $28,400/year in Washington DC. Religious schools run $8,100/year on the low end.

Fort Lauderdale

$11,700

avg tuition/year

$650 below national avg

Lower cost

Washington DC

$28,400

avg tuition/year

$16,050 above national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Fort Lauderdale	Washington DC	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$11,700/yr	$28,400/yr	-$16,700
Religious Schools	$8,100/yr	$15,200/yr	-$7,100
Independent/Prep	$24,100/yr	$46,000/yr	-$21,900
Elementary (K-5)	$9,900/yr	$23,000/yr	-$13,100
Middle School (6-8)	$11,700/yr	$28,400/yr	-$16,700
High School (9-12)	$14,000/yr	$35,500/yr	-$21,500

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Fort Lauderdale

$152,100

Washington DC

$369,200

Choosing Fort Lauderdale saves $217,100 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $434,200.

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

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 Fort Lauderdale breakdown → Full Washington DC breakdown →

Florida private school costs District of Columbia private school costs

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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.