Is private school cheaper in Minneapolis or Richmond?

Richmond has lower average private school tuition at $14,500/year vs $15,000/year in Minneapolis. That's $500/year less, or $6,500 over a K-12 career.

How much can I save on private school by choosing Richmond over Minneapolis?

Average tuition in Richmond is $500/year less than Minneapolis. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $6,500 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $9,200/year in Minneapolis, $9,200/year in Richmond.

How do Minneapolis and Richmond private school costs compare to the national average?

The national average private school tuition is $12,350/year. Minneapolis averages $15,000/year ($2,650 above average). Richmond averages $14,500/year ($2,150 above average).

Private School Cost: Minneapolis vs Richmond

Richmond averages $500/year less for private school (3% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $6,500 per child.

Bottom Line

Richmond is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $14,500/year vs $15,000/year in Minneapolis. Religious schools run $9,200/year on the low end.

Minneapolis

$15,000

avg tuition/year

$2,650 above national avg

Richmond

$14,500

avg tuition/year

$2,150 above national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Minneapolis	Richmond	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$15,000/yr	$14,500/yr	+$500
Religious Schools	$9,200/yr	$9,200/yr	Same
Independent/Prep	$27,500/yr	$27,000/yr	+$500
Elementary (K-5)	$12,200/yr	$11,800/yr	+$400
Middle School (6-8)	$15,000/yr	$14,500/yr	+$500
High School (9-12)	$18,500/yr	$18,000/yr	+$500

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Minneapolis

$195,000

Richmond

$188,500

Choosing Richmond saves $6,500 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $13,000.

Sample Schools

Minneapolis

Blake School

Independent · PK–12 · $34,800-$37,200/yr

Breck School

Independent · PK–12 · $28,400/yr

Minnehaha Academy

Christian · PK–12 · $16,200-$17,800/yr

De La Salle High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $15,800/yr

Richmond

St. Catherine's School (Richmond)

Independent · PK–12 · $28,800-$31,400/yr

St. Christopher's School

Independent · K–12 · $29,200-$31,800/yr

Collegiate School (Richmond)

Independent · PK–12 · $30,400-$32,800/yr

Benedictine College Preparatory

Catholic · 9–12 · $16,200/yr

Full Minneapolis breakdown → Full Richmond breakdown →

Minnesota private school costs Virginia private school costs

Related Comparisons

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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.