Is private school cheaper in Phoenix or Richmond?

Phoenix has lower average private school tuition at $13,400/year vs $14,500/year in Richmond. That's $1,100/year less, or $14,300 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Phoenix is $1,100/year less than Richmond. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $14,300 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $8,600/year in Phoenix, $9,200/year in Richmond.

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

The national average private school tuition is $12,350/year. Phoenix averages $13,400/year ($1,050 above average). Richmond averages $14,500/year ($2,150 above average).

Private School Cost: Phoenix vs Richmond

Phoenix averages $1,100/year less for private school (8% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $14,300 per child.

Bottom Line

Phoenix is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $13,400/year vs $14,500/year in Richmond. Religious schools run $8,600/year on the low end.

Phoenix

$13,400

avg tuition/year

$1,050 above national avg

Lower cost

Richmond

$14,500

avg tuition/year

$2,150 above national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Phoenix	Richmond	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$13,400/yr	$14,500/yr	-$1,100
Religious Schools	$8,600/yr	$9,200/yr	-$600
Independent/Prep	$24,500/yr	$27,000/yr	-$2,500
Elementary (K-5)	$11,000/yr	$11,800/yr	-$800
Middle School (6-8)	$13,400/yr	$14,500/yr	-$1,100
High School (9-12)	$16,500/yr	$18,000/yr	-$1,500

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Phoenix

$174,200

Richmond

$188,500

Choosing Phoenix saves $14,300 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $28,600.

Sample Schools

Phoenix

Brophy College Preparatory

Catholic · 9–12 · $17,800/yr

Xavier College Preparatory

Catholic · 9–12 · $17,400/yr

Scottsdale Preparatory Academy

Independent · 6–12 · $12,800-$14,200/yr

Notre Dame Preparatory High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $16,200/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 Phoenix breakdown → Full Richmond breakdown →

Arizona private school costs Virginia private school costs

Related Comparisons

Denver vs Phoenix → San Francisco vs Phoenix → Boston vs Phoenix → Los Angeles vs Phoenix →

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.