Is private school cheaper in Portland or Washington DC?

Portland has lower average private school tuition at $18,200/year vs $28,400/year in Washington DC. That's $10,200/year less, or $132,600 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Portland is $10,200/year less than Washington DC. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $132,600 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $10,400/year in Portland, $15,200/year in Washington DC.

How do Portland and Washington DC 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). Washington DC averages $28,400/year ($16,050 above average).

Private School Cost: Portland vs Washington DC

Portland averages $10,200/year less for private school (56% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $132,600 per child.

Bottom Line

Portland is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $18,200/year vs $28,400/year in Washington DC. Religious schools run $10,400/year on the low end.

Portland

$18,200

avg tuition/year

$5,850 above national avg

Lower cost

Washington DC

$28,400

avg tuition/year

$16,050 above national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Portland	Washington DC	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$18,200/yr	$28,400/yr	-$10,200
Religious Schools	$10,400/yr	$15,200/yr	-$4,800
Independent/Prep	$31,500/yr	$46,000/yr	-$14,500
Elementary (K-5)	$14,800/yr	$23,000/yr	-$8,200
Middle School (6-8)	$18,200/yr	$28,400/yr	-$10,200
High School (9-12)	$22,500/yr	$35,500/yr	-$13,000

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Portland

$236,600

Washington DC

$369,200

Choosing Portland saves $132,600 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $265,200.

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

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 Portland breakdown → Full Washington DC breakdown →

Oregon private school costs District of Columbia private school costs

Related Comparisons

Seattle vs Portland → 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.