Private School Cost: Little Rock vs Washington DC
Little Rock averages $21,800/year less for private school (330% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $283,400 per child.
Bottom Line
Little Rock is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $6,600/year vs $28,400/year in Washington DC. Religious schools run $5,000/year on the low end.
Little Rock
AR
$6,600
avg tuition/year
Washington DC
DC
$28,400
avg tuition/year
Tuition by School Type & Grade
| Category | Little Rock | Washington DC | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| All Schools (Average) | $6,600/yr | $28,400/yr | -$21,800 |
| Religious Schools | $5,000/yr | $15,200/yr | -$10,200 |
| Independent/Prep | $13,100/yr | $46,000/yr | -$32,900 |
| Elementary (K-5) | $5,600/yr | $23,000/yr | -$17,400 |
| Middle School (6-8) | $6,600/yr | $28,400/yr | -$21,800 |
| High School (9-12) | $7,900/yr | $35,500/yr | -$27,600 |
K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)
Little Rock
$85,800
Washington DC
$369,200
Choosing Little Rock saves $283,400 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $566,800.
Sample Schools
Little Rock
Pulaski Academy (Little Rock)
Independent · PK–12 · $11,800/yr
Mount St. Mary Academy
Catholic · 9–12 · $11,200/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
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.