Is private school cheaper in Jersey City or Washington DC?

Jersey City has lower average private school tuition at $20,900/year vs $28,400/year in Washington DC. That's $7,500/year less, or $97,500 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Jersey City is $7,500/year less than Washington DC. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $97,500 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $13,500/year in Jersey City, $15,200/year in Washington DC.

How do Jersey City and Washington DC private school costs compare to the national average?

The national average private school tuition is $12,350/year. Jersey City averages $20,900/year ($8,550 above average). Washington DC averages $28,400/year ($16,050 above average).

Private School Cost: Jersey City vs Washington DC

Jersey City averages $7,500/year less for private school (36% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $97,500 per child.

Bottom Line

Jersey City is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $20,900/year vs $28,400/year in Washington DC. Religious schools run $13,500/year on the low end.

Jersey City

$20,900

avg tuition/year

$8,550 above national avg

Lower cost

Washington DC

$28,400

avg tuition/year

$16,050 above national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Jersey City	Washington DC	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$20,900/yr	$28,400/yr	-$7,500
Religious Schools	$13,500/yr	$15,200/yr	-$1,700
Independent/Prep	$44,800/yr	$46,000/yr	-$1,200
Elementary (K-5)	$17,800/yr	$23,000/yr	-$5,200
Middle School (6-8)	$20,900/yr	$28,400/yr	-$7,500
High School (9-12)	$25,100/yr	$35,500/yr	-$10,400

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Jersey City

$271,700

Washington DC

$369,200

Choosing Jersey City saves $97,500 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $195,000.

Sample Schools

Jersey City

Hudson Catholic Regional High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $14,800/yr

Saint Aloysius Academy (Jersey City)

Catholic · K–8 · $10,800-$12,800/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 Jersey City breakdown → Full Washington DC breakdown →

New Jersey 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.