Is private school cheaper in Newark or Richmond?

Richmond has lower average private school tuition at $14,500/year vs $19,300/year in Newark. That's $4,800/year less, or $62,400 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Richmond is $4,800/year less than Newark. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $62,400 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $12,400/year in Newark, $9,200/year in Richmond.

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

The national average private school tuition is $12,350/year. Newark averages $19,300/year ($6,950 above average). Richmond averages $14,500/year ($2,150 above average).

Private School Cost: Newark vs Richmond

Richmond averages $4,800/year less for private school (33% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $62,400 per child.

Bottom Line

Richmond is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $14,500/year vs $19,300/year in Newark. Religious schools run $9,200/year on the low end.

Newark

$19,300

avg tuition/year

$6,950 above national avg

Richmond

$14,500

avg tuition/year

$2,150 above national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Newark	Richmond	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$19,300/yr	$14,500/yr	+$4,800
Religious Schools	$12,400/yr	$9,200/yr	+$3,200
Independent/Prep	$41,200/yr	$27,000/yr	+$14,200
Elementary (K-5)	$16,400/yr	$11,800/yr	+$4,600
Middle School (6-8)	$19,300/yr	$14,500/yr	+$4,800
High School (9-12)	$23,200/yr	$18,000/yr	+$5,200

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Newark

$250,900

Richmond

$188,500

Choosing Richmond saves $62,400 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $124,800.

Sample Schools

Newark

Seton Hall Preparatory School

Catholic · 9–12 · $22,400/yr

Newark Academy

Independent · 6–12 · $38,400/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 Newark breakdown → Full Richmond breakdown →

New Jersey private school costs Virginia private school costs

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.