Is private school cheaper in Orange County or Washington DC?

Orange County has lower average private school tuition at $20,800/year vs $28,400/year in Washington DC. That's $7,600/year less, or $98,800 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Orange County is $7,600/year less than Washington DC. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $98,800 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $11,200/year in Orange County, $15,200/year in Washington DC.

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

The national average private school tuition is $12,350/year. Orange County averages $20,800/year ($8,450 above average). Washington DC averages $28,400/year ($16,050 above average).

Private School Cost: Orange County vs Washington DC

Orange County averages $7,600/year less for private school (37% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $98,800 per child.

Bottom Line

Orange County is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $20,800/year vs $28,400/year in Washington DC. Religious schools run $11,200/year on the low end.

Orange County

$20,800

avg tuition/year

$8,450 above national avg

Lower cost

Washington DC

$28,400

avg tuition/year

$16,050 above national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Orange County	Washington DC	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$20,800/yr	$28,400/yr	-$7,600
Religious Schools	$11,200/yr	$15,200/yr	-$4,000
Independent/Prep	$34,800/yr	$46,000/yr	-$11,200
Elementary (K-5)	$17,000/yr	$23,000/yr	-$6,000
Middle School (6-8)	$20,800/yr	$28,400/yr	-$7,600
High School (9-12)	$25,500/yr	$35,500/yr	-$10,000

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Orange County

$270,400

Washington DC

$369,200

Choosing Orange County saves $98,800 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $197,600.

Sample Schools

Orange County

Sage Hill School

Independent · 9–12 · $41,800/yr

Fairmont Preparatory Academy

Independent · 9–12 · $34,600-$37,200/yr

Calvary Chapel Academy

Christian · K–12 · $10,400-$12,800/yr

JSerra Catholic High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $22,400/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 Orange County breakdown → Full Washington DC breakdown →

California private school costs District of Columbia private school costs

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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.