Is private school cheaper in Nashville or Washington DC?

Nashville has lower average private school tuition at $14,200/year vs $28,400/year in Washington DC. That's $14,200/year less, or $184,600 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Nashville is $14,200/year less than Washington DC. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $184,600 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $8,800/year in Nashville, $15,200/year in Washington DC.

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

The national average private school tuition is $12,350/year. Nashville averages $14,200/year ($1,850 above average). Washington DC averages $28,400/year ($16,050 above average).

Private School Cost: Nashville vs Washington DC

Nashville averages $14,200/year less for private school (100% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $184,600 per child.

Bottom Line

Nashville is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $14,200/year vs $28,400/year in Washington DC. Religious schools run $8,800/year on the low end.

Nashville

$14,200

avg tuition/year

$1,850 above national avg

Lower cost

Washington DC

$28,400

avg tuition/year

$16,050 above national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Nashville	Washington DC	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$14,200/yr	$28,400/yr	-$14,200
Religious Schools	$8,800/yr	$15,200/yr	-$6,400
Independent/Prep	$26,500/yr	$46,000/yr	-$19,500
Elementary (K-5)	$11,600/yr	$23,000/yr	-$11,400
Middle School (6-8)	$14,200/yr	$28,400/yr	-$14,200
High School (9-12)	$17,500/yr	$35,500/yr	-$18,000

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Nashville

$184,600

Washington DC

$369,200

Choosing Nashville saves $184,600 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $369,200.

Sample Schools

Nashville

Montgomery Bell Academy

Independent · 7–12 · $29,400/yr

Harpeth Hall School

Independent · 5–12 · $28,800/yr

University School of Nashville

Independent · K–12 · $26,200/yr

Father Ryan High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $16,800/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 Nashville breakdown → Full Washington DC breakdown →

Tennessee private school costs District of Columbia private school costs

Related Comparisons

Nashville vs Atlanta → 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.