Is private school cheaper in Hartford or Washington DC?

Hartford has lower average private school tuition at $28,000/year vs $28,400/year in Washington DC. That's $400/year less, or $5,200 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Hartford is $400/year less than Washington DC. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $5,200 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $15,800/year in Hartford, $15,200/year in Washington DC.

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

Private School Cost: Hartford vs Washington DC

Hartford averages $400/year less for private school (1% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $5,200 per child.

Bottom Line

Hartford is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $28,000/year vs $28,400/year in Washington DC. Religious schools run $15,200/year on the low end.

Hartford

$28,000

avg tuition/year

$15,650 above national avg

Lower cost

Washington DC

$28,400

avg tuition/year

$16,050 above national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Hartford	Washington DC	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$28,000/yr	$28,400/yr	-$400
Religious Schools	$15,800/yr	$15,200/yr	+$600
Independent/Prep	$44,500/yr	$46,000/yr	-$1,500
Elementary (K-5)	$22,800/yr	$23,000/yr	-$200
Middle School (6-8)	$28,000/yr	$28,400/yr	-$400
High School (9-12)	$35,000/yr	$35,500/yr	-$500

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Hartford

$364,000

Washington DC

$369,200

Choosing Hartford saves $5,200 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $10,400.

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

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 Hartford breakdown → Full Washington DC breakdown →

Connecticut private school costs District of Columbia private school costs

Related Comparisons

Washington DC vs Atlanta →

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.