Is private school cheaper in Hartford or Richmond?

Richmond has lower average private school tuition at $14,500/year vs $28,000/year in Hartford. That's $13,500/year less, or $175,500 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Richmond is $13,500/year less than Hartford. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $175,500 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $15,800/year in Hartford, $9,200/year in Richmond.

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

The national average private school tuition is $12,350/year. Hartford averages $28,000/year ($15,650 above average). Richmond averages $14,500/year ($2,150 above average).

Private School Cost: Hartford vs Richmond

Richmond averages $13,500/year less for private school (93% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $175,500 per child.

Bottom Line

Richmond is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $14,500/year vs $28,000/year in Hartford. Religious schools run $9,200/year on the low end.

Hartford

$28,000

avg tuition/year

$15,650 above national avg

Richmond

$14,500

avg tuition/year

$2,150 above national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Hartford	Richmond	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$28,000/yr	$14,500/yr	+$13,500
Religious Schools	$15,800/yr	$9,200/yr	+$6,600
Independent/Prep	$44,500/yr	$27,000/yr	+$17,500
Elementary (K-5)	$22,800/yr	$11,800/yr	+$11,000
Middle School (6-8)	$28,000/yr	$14,500/yr	+$13,500
High School (9-12)	$35,000/yr	$18,000/yr	+$17,000

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Hartford

$364,000

Richmond

$188,500

Choosing Richmond saves $175,500 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $351,000.

Sample Schools

Hartford

Kingswood Oxford School

Independent · 6–12 · $44,800-$47,200/yr

Loomis Chaffee School

Independent (Day) · 9–12 · $48,200/yr

Watkinson School

Independent · 6–12 · $36,800/yr

Northwest Catholic High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $17,800/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 Hartford breakdown → Full Richmond breakdown →

Connecticut 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.