Is private school cheaper in Miami or Washington DC?

Miami has lower average private school tuition at $18,600/year vs $28,400/year in Washington DC. That's $9,800/year less, or $127,400 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Miami is $9,800/year less than Washington DC. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $127,400 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $10,800/year in Miami, $15,200/year in Washington DC.

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

The national average private school tuition is $12,350/year. Miami averages $18,600/year ($6,250 above average). Washington DC averages $28,400/year ($16,050 above average).

Private School Cost: Miami vs Washington DC

Miami averages $9,800/year less for private school (53% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $127,400 per child.

Bottom Line

Miami is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $18,600/year vs $28,400/year in Washington DC. Religious schools run $10,800/year on the low end.

Miami

$18,600

avg tuition/year

$6,250 above national avg

Lower cost

Washington DC

$28,400

avg tuition/year

$16,050 above national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Miami	Washington DC	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$18,600/yr	$28,400/yr	-$9,800
Religious Schools	$10,800/yr	$15,200/yr	-$4,400
Independent/Prep	$34,000/yr	$46,000/yr	-$12,000
Elementary (K-5)	$15,500/yr	$23,000/yr	-$7,500
Middle School (6-8)	$18,600/yr	$28,400/yr	-$9,800
High School (9-12)	$23,200/yr	$35,500/yr	-$12,300

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Miami

$241,800

Washington DC

$369,200

Choosing Miami saves $127,400 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $254,800.

Sample Schools

Miami

Ransom Everglades School

Independent · 6–12 · $42,800-$45,200/yr

Palmer Trinity School

Independent · 6–12 · $38,600/yr

Christopher Columbus High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $16,200/yr

Belen Jesuit Preparatory School

Catholic · 6–12 · $15,900/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 Miami breakdown → Full Washington DC breakdown →

Florida private school costs District of Columbia private school costs

Related Comparisons

Miami vs Tampa → Miami vs Orlando → Jacksonville vs Miami → 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.