Is private school cheaper in Richmond or Worcester?

Richmond has lower average private school tuition at $14,500/year vs $23,600/year in Worcester. That's $9,100/year less, or $118,300 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Richmond is $9,100/year less than Worcester. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $118,300 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $9,200/year in Richmond, $12,800/year in Worcester.

How do Richmond and Worcester 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). Worcester averages $23,600/year ($11,250 above average).

Private School Cost: Richmond vs Worcester

Richmond averages $9,100/year less for private school (63% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $118,300 per child.

Bottom Line

Richmond is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $14,500/year vs $23,600/year in Worcester. Religious schools run $9,200/year on the low end.

Richmond

$14,500

avg tuition/year

$2,150 above national avg

Lower cost

Worcester

$23,600

avg tuition/year

$11,250 above national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Richmond	Worcester	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$14,500/yr	$23,600/yr	-$9,100
Religious Schools	$9,200/yr	$12,800/yr	-$3,600
Independent/Prep	$27,000/yr	$48,100/yr	-$21,100
Elementary (K-5)	$11,800/yr	$20,100/yr	-$8,300
Middle School (6-8)	$14,500/yr	$23,600/yr	-$9,100
High School (9-12)	$18,000/yr	$28,300/yr	-$10,300

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Richmond

$188,500

Worcester

$306,800

Choosing Richmond saves $118,300 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $236,600.

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

Worcester

Holy Name Central Catholic High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $13,800/yr

Worcester Academy

Independent · 9–12 · $36,400/yr

Full Richmond breakdown → Full Worcester breakdown →

Virginia private school costs Massachusetts 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.