Is private school cheaper in Frederick or Richmond?

Richmond has lower average private school tuition at $14,500/year vs $16,700/year in Frederick. That's $2,200/year less, or $28,600 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Richmond is $2,200/year less than Frederick. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $28,600 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $11,300/year in Frederick, $9,200/year in Richmond.

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

The national average private school tuition is $12,350/year. Frederick averages $16,700/year ($4,350 above average). Richmond averages $14,500/year ($2,150 above average).

Private School Cost: Frederick vs Richmond

Richmond averages $2,200/year less for private school (15% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $28,600 per child.

Bottom Line

Richmond is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $14,500/year vs $16,700/year in Frederick. Religious schools run $9,200/year on the low end.

Frederick

$16,700

avg tuition/year

$4,350 above national avg

Richmond

$14,500

avg tuition/year

$2,150 above national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Frederick	Richmond	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$16,700/yr	$14,500/yr	+$2,200
Religious Schools	$11,300/yr	$9,200/yr	+$2,100
Independent/Prep	$35,100/yr	$27,000/yr	+$8,100
Elementary (K-5)	$14,200/yr	$11,800/yr	+$2,400
Middle School (6-8)	$16,700/yr	$14,500/yr	+$2,200
High School (9-12)	$20,000/yr	$18,000/yr	+$2,000

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Frederick

$217,100

Richmond

$188,500

Choosing Richmond saves $28,600 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $57,200.

Sample Schools

Frederick

Frederick Classical Charter School (Private Prep)

Independent · K–12 · $11,200/yr

Visitation Academy (Frederick MD)

Catholic · PK–8 · $12,400/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 Frederick breakdown → Full Richmond breakdown →

Maryland 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.