Is private school cheaper in Lafayette or Washington DC?

Lafayette has lower average private school tuition at $6,200/year vs $28,400/year in Washington DC. That's $22,200/year less, or $288,600 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Lafayette is $22,200/year less than Washington DC. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $288,600 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $4,600/year in Lafayette, $15,200/year in Washington DC.

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

The national average private school tuition is $12,350/year. Lafayette averages $6,200/year ($6,150 below average). Washington DC averages $28,400/year ($16,050 above average).

Private School Cost: Lafayette vs Washington DC

Lafayette averages $22,200/year less for private school (358% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $288,600 per child.

Bottom Line

Lafayette is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $6,200/year vs $28,400/year in Washington DC. Religious schools run $4,600/year on the low end.

Lafayette

$6,200

avg tuition/year

$6,150 below national avg

Lower cost

Washington DC

$28,400

avg tuition/year

$16,050 above national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Lafayette	Washington DC	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$6,200/yr	$28,400/yr	-$22,200
Religious Schools	$4,600/yr	$15,200/yr	-$10,600
Independent/Prep	$14,900/yr	$46,000/yr	-$31,100
Elementary (K-5)	$5,300/yr	$23,000/yr	-$17,700
Middle School (6-8)	$6,200/yr	$28,400/yr	-$22,200
High School (9-12)	$7,400/yr	$35,500/yr	-$28,100

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Lafayette

$80,600

Washington DC

$369,200

Choosing Lafayette saves $288,600 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $577,200.

Sample Schools

Lafayette

Teurlings Catholic High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $9,600/yr

Ascension Episcopal School (Lafayette)

Independent (Episcopal) · PK–12 · $14,800/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 Lafayette breakdown → Full Washington DC breakdown →

Louisiana 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.