Private School Cost: Richmond vs San Antonio
San Antonio averages $3,300/year less for private school (29% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $42,900 per child.
Bottom Line
San Antonio is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $11,200/year vs $14,500/year in Richmond. Religious schools run $7,600/year on the low end.
Richmond
VA
$14,500
avg tuition/year
San Antonio
TX
$11,200
avg tuition/year
Tuition by School Type & Grade
| Category | Richmond | San Antonio | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| All Schools (Average) | $14,500/yr | $11,200/yr | +$3,300 |
| Religious Schools | $9,200/yr | $7,600/yr | +$1,600 |
| Independent/Prep | $27,000/yr | $21,000/yr | +$6,000 |
| Elementary (K-5) | $11,800/yr | $9,200/yr | +$2,600 |
| Middle School (6-8) | $14,500/yr | $11,200/yr | +$3,300 |
| High School (9-12) | $18,000/yr | $13,800/yr | +$4,200 |
K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)
Richmond
$188,500
San Antonio
$145,600
Choosing San Antonio saves $42,900 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $85,800.
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
San Antonio
Keystone School (San Antonio)
Independent · PK–12 · $21,200-$23,600/yr
Central Catholic High School (San Antonio)
Catholic · 9–12 · $13,800/yr
Providence Catholic School
Catholic · K–8 · $8,200-$9,800/yr
Antonian College Preparatory
Catholic · 9–12 · $12,400/yr
Related Comparisons
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.