Is private school cheaper in Raleigh or Washington DC?

Raleigh has lower average private school tuition at $13,000/year vs $28,400/year in Washington DC. That's $15,400/year less, or $200,200 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Raleigh is $15,400/year less than Washington DC. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $200,200 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $8,200/year in Raleigh, $15,200/year in Washington DC.

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

The national average private school tuition is $12,350/year. Raleigh averages $13,000/year ($650 above average). Washington DC averages $28,400/year ($16,050 above average).

Private School Cost: Raleigh vs Washington DC

Raleigh averages $15,400/year less for private school (118% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $200,200 per child.

Bottom Line

Raleigh is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $13,000/year vs $28,400/year in Washington DC. Religious schools run $8,200/year on the low end.

Raleigh

$13,000

avg tuition/year

$650 above national avg

Lower cost

Washington DC

$28,400

avg tuition/year

$16,050 above national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Raleigh	Washington DC	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$13,000/yr	$28,400/yr	-$15,400
Religious Schools	$8,200/yr	$15,200/yr	-$7,000
Independent/Prep	$24,500/yr	$46,000/yr	-$21,500
Elementary (K-5)	$10,600/yr	$23,000/yr	-$12,400
Middle School (6-8)	$13,000/yr	$28,400/yr	-$15,400
High School (9-12)	$16,000/yr	$35,500/yr	-$19,500

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Raleigh

$169,000

Washington DC

$369,200

Choosing Raleigh saves $200,200 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $400,400.

Sample Schools

Raleigh

Ravenscroft School

Independent · PK–12 · $26,800-$29,200/yr

Cardinal Gibbons High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $14,400/yr

Cary Academy

Independent · 6–12 · $22,400-$24,800/yr

Raleigh Charter High School

Charter (Free) · 9–12

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 Raleigh breakdown → Full Washington DC breakdown →

North Carolina private school costs District of Columbia private school costs

Related Comparisons

Raleigh vs Charlotte → Washington DC vs Atlanta → Austin vs Raleigh →

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.