Is private school cheaper in Richmond or Virginia Beach?

Virginia Beach has lower average private school tuition at $13,200/year vs $14,500/year in Richmond. That's $1,300/year less, or $16,900 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Virginia Beach is $1,300/year less than Richmond. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $16,900 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $9,200/year in Richmond, $8,600/year in Virginia Beach.

How do Richmond and Virginia Beach 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). Virginia Beach averages $13,200/year ($850 above average).

Private School Cost: Richmond vs Virginia Beach

Virginia Beach averages $1,300/year less for private school (10% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $16,900 per child.

Bottom Line

Virginia Beach is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $13,200/year vs $14,500/year in Richmond. Religious schools run $8,600/year on the low end.

Richmond

$14,500

avg tuition/year

$2,150 above national avg

Virginia Beach

$13,200

avg tuition/year

$850 above national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Richmond	Virginia Beach	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$14,500/yr	$13,200/yr	+$1,300
Religious Schools	$9,200/yr	$8,600/yr	+$600
Independent/Prep	$27,000/yr	$24,500/yr	+$2,500
Elementary (K-5)	$11,800/yr	$10,800/yr	+$1,000
Middle School (6-8)	$14,500/yr	$13,200/yr	+$1,300
High School (9-12)	$18,000/yr	$16,200/yr	+$1,800

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Richmond

$188,500

Virginia Beach

$171,600

Choosing Virginia Beach saves $16,900 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $33,800.

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

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 Richmond breakdown → Full Virginia Beach breakdown →

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.