Is private school cheaper in Providence or Virginia Beach?

Virginia Beach has lower average private school tuition at $13,200/year vs $22,000/year in Providence. That's $8,800/year less, or $114,400 over a K-12 career.

How much can I save on private school by choosing Virginia Beach over Providence?

Average tuition in Virginia Beach is $8,800/year less than Providence. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $114,400 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $12,400/year in Providence, $8,600/year in Virginia Beach.

How do Providence and Virginia Beach private school costs compare to the national average?

The national average private school tuition is $12,350/year. Providence averages $22,000/year ($9,650 above average). Virginia Beach averages $13,200/year ($850 above average).

Private School Cost: Providence vs Virginia Beach

Virginia Beach averages $8,800/year less for private school (67% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $114,400 per child.

Bottom Line

Virginia Beach is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $13,200/year vs $22,000/year in Providence. Religious schools run $8,600/year on the low end.

Providence

$22,000

avg tuition/year

$9,650 above national avg

Virginia Beach

$13,200

avg tuition/year

$850 above national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Providence	Virginia Beach	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$22,000/yr	$13,200/yr	+$8,800
Religious Schools	$12,400/yr	$8,600/yr	+$3,800
Independent/Prep	$36,000/yr	$24,500/yr	+$11,500
Elementary (K-5)	$18,000/yr	$10,800/yr	+$7,200
Middle School (6-8)	$22,000/yr	$13,200/yr	+$8,800
High School (9-12)	$27,500/yr	$16,200/yr	+$11,300

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Providence

$286,000

Virginia Beach

$171,600

Choosing Virginia Beach saves $114,400 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $228,800.

Sample Schools

Providence

Moses Brown School

Independent (Quaker) · PK–12 · $40,800-$43,200/yr

Wheeler School

Independent · PK–12 · $38,200-$40,800/yr

Providence Country Day School

Independent · 6–12 · $34,800/yr

La Salle Academy (Providence)

Catholic · 9–12 · $14,200/yr

Virginia Beach

Norfolk Academy

Independent · 1–12 · $24,800-$27,200/yr

Cape Henry Collegiate School

Independent · PK–12 · $22,400-$24,800/yr

Bishop Sullivan Catholic High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $13,800/yr

Kellam High School (Public)

Public (Reference) · 9–12

Full Providence breakdown → Full Virginia Beach breakdown →

Rhode Island 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.