Is private school cheaper in Richmond or Spokane?

Spokane has lower average private school tuition at $12,800/year vs $14,500/year in Richmond. That's $1,700/year less, or $22,100 over a K-12 career.

How much can I save on private school by choosing Spokane over Richmond?

Average tuition in Spokane is $1,700/year less than Richmond. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $22,100 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $9,200/year in Richmond, $8,700/year in Spokane.

How do Richmond and Spokane 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). Spokane averages $12,800/year ($450 above average).

Private School Cost: Richmond vs Spokane

Spokane averages $1,700/year less for private school (13% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $22,100 per child.

Bottom Line

Spokane is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $12,800/year vs $14,500/year in Richmond. Religious schools run $8,700/year on the low end.

Richmond

$14,500

avg tuition/year

$2,150 above national avg

Spokane

$12,800

avg tuition/year

$450 above national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Richmond	Spokane	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$14,500/yr	$12,800/yr	+$1,700
Religious Schools	$9,200/yr	$8,700/yr	+$500
Independent/Prep	$27,000/yr	$27,400/yr	-$400
Elementary (K-5)	$11,800/yr	$10,900/yr	+$900
Middle School (6-8)	$14,500/yr	$12,800/yr	+$1,700
High School (9-12)	$18,000/yr	$15,400/yr	+$2,600

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Richmond

$188,500

Spokane

$166,400

Choosing Spokane saves $22,100 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $44,200.

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

Spokane

Gonzaga Preparatory School

Catholic · 9–12 · $13,400/yr

Spokane Christian Academy

Christian · K–12 · $9,200-$11,400/yr

Full Richmond breakdown → Full Spokane breakdown →

Virginia private school costs Washington 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.