PrivateSchoolCost

Private School Cost: Indianapolis vs Virginia Beach

Indianapolis averages $1,200/year less for private school (10% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $15,600 per child.

Bottom Line

Indianapolis is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $12,000/year vs $13,200/year in Virginia Beach. Religious schools run $7,800/year on the low end.

Indianapolis

IN

$12,000

avg tuition/year

$350 below national avg
Lower cost

Virginia Beach

VA

$13,200

avg tuition/year

$850 above national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category Indianapolis Virginia Beach Difference
All Schools (Average) $12,000/yr $13,200/yr -$1,200
Religious Schools $7,800/yr $8,600/yr -$800
Independent/Prep $22,500/yr $24,500/yr -$2,000
Elementary (K-5) $9,800/yr $10,800/yr -$1,000
Middle School (6-8) $12,000/yr $13,200/yr -$1,200
High School (9-12) $14,800/yr $16,200/yr -$1,400

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Indianapolis

$156,000

Virginia Beach

$171,600

Choosing Indianapolis saves $15,600 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $31,200.

Sample Schools

Indianapolis

Park Tudor School

Independent · PK–12 · $24,200-$26,800/yr

Brebeuf Jesuit Preparatory School

Catholic · 9–12 · $17,800/yr

Bishop Chatard High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $13,200/yr

Cathedral High School (Indianapolis)

Catholic · 9–12 · $14,800/yr

Virginia Beach

Norfolk Academy

Independent · 1–12 · $24,800-$27,200/yr

Cape Henry Collegiate School

Independent · PK–12 · $22,400-$24,800/yr

Bishop Sullivan Catholic High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $13,800/yr

Kellam High School (Public)

Public (Reference) · 9–12

Related Comparisons

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.