Is private school cheaper in Richmond or Salt Lake City?

Salt Lake City has lower average private school tuition at $9,400/year vs $14,500/year in Richmond. That's $5,100/year less, or $66,300 over a K-12 career.

How much can I save on private school by choosing Salt Lake City over Richmond?

Average tuition in Salt Lake City is $5,100/year less than Richmond. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $66,300 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $9,200/year in Richmond, $6,500/year in Salt Lake City.

How do Richmond and Salt Lake City private school costs compare to the national average?

The national average private school tuition is $12,350/year. Richmond averages $14,500/year ($2,150 above average). Salt Lake City averages $9,400/year ($2,950 below average).

Private School Cost: Richmond vs Salt Lake City

Salt Lake City averages $5,100/year less for private school (54% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $66,300 per child.

Bottom Line

Salt Lake City is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $9,400/year vs $14,500/year in Richmond. Religious schools run $6,500/year on the low end.

Richmond

$14,500

avg tuition/year

$2,150 above national avg

Salt Lake City

$9,400

avg tuition/year

$2,950 below national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Richmond	Salt Lake City	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$14,500/yr	$9,400/yr	+$5,100
Religious Schools	$9,200/yr	$6,500/yr	+$2,700
Independent/Prep	$27,000/yr	$18,700/yr	+$8,300
Elementary (K-5)	$11,800/yr	$8,000/yr	+$3,800
Middle School (6-8)	$14,500/yr	$9,400/yr	+$5,100
High School (9-12)	$18,000/yr	$11,300/yr	+$6,700

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Richmond

$188,500

Salt Lake City

$122,200

Choosing Salt Lake City saves $66,300 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $132,600.

Sample Schools

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

Salt Lake City

Judge Memorial Catholic High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $12,400/yr

Utah Private Academy

Independent · K–12 · $9,800-$12,400/yr

Full Richmond breakdown → Full Salt Lake City breakdown →

Virginia private school costs Utah 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.