Is private school cheaper in Portland or Richmond?

Richmond has lower average private school tuition at $14,500/year vs $18,200/year in Portland. That's $3,700/year less, or $48,100 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Richmond is $3,700/year less than Portland. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $48,100 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $10,400/year in Portland, $9,200/year in Richmond.

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

The national average private school tuition is $12,350/year. Portland averages $18,200/year ($5,850 above average). Richmond averages $14,500/year ($2,150 above average).

Private School Cost: Portland vs Richmond

Richmond averages $3,700/year less for private school (26% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $48,100 per child.

Bottom Line

Richmond is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $14,500/year vs $18,200/year in Portland. Religious schools run $9,200/year on the low end.

Portland

$18,200

avg tuition/year

$5,850 above national avg

Richmond

$14,500

avg tuition/year

$2,150 above national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Portland	Richmond	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$18,200/yr	$14,500/yr	+$3,700
Religious Schools	$10,400/yr	$9,200/yr	+$1,200
Independent/Prep	$31,500/yr	$27,000/yr	+$4,500
Elementary (K-5)	$14,800/yr	$11,800/yr	+$3,000
Middle School (6-8)	$18,200/yr	$14,500/yr	+$3,700
High School (9-12)	$22,500/yr	$18,000/yr	+$4,500

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Portland

$236,600

Richmond

$188,500

Choosing Richmond saves $48,100 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $96,200.

Sample Schools

Portland

Catlin Gabel School

Independent · PK–12 · $38,400-$41,200/yr

Oregon Episcopal School

Independent · PK–12 · $34,800/yr

Jesuit High School (Portland)

Catholic · 9–12 · $19,200/yr

Central Catholic High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $14,800/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 Portland breakdown → Full Richmond breakdown →

Oregon private school costs Virginia 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.