Is private school cheaper in Riverside or Virginia Beach?

Virginia Beach has lower average private school tuition at $13,200/year vs $14,900/year in Riverside. That's $1,700/year less, or $22,100 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Virginia Beach is $1,700/year less than Riverside. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $22,100 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $9,700/year in Riverside, $8,600/year in Virginia Beach.

How do Riverside and Virginia Beach private school costs compare to the national average?

The national average private school tuition is $12,350/year. Riverside averages $14,900/year ($2,550 above average). Virginia Beach averages $13,200/year ($850 above average).

Private School Cost: Riverside vs Virginia Beach

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

Bottom Line

Virginia Beach is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $13,200/year vs $14,900/year in Riverside. Religious schools run $8,600/year on the low end.

Riverside

$14,900

avg tuition/year

$2,550 above national avg

Virginia Beach

$13,200

avg tuition/year

$850 above national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Riverside	Virginia Beach	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$14,900/yr	$13,200/yr	+$1,700
Religious Schools	$9,700/yr	$8,600/yr	+$1,100
Independent/Prep	$29,000/yr	$24,500/yr	+$4,500
Elementary (K-5)	$12,700/yr	$10,800/yr	+$1,900
Middle School (6-8)	$14,900/yr	$13,200/yr	+$1,700
High School (9-12)	$17,900/yr	$16,200/yr	+$1,700

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Riverside

$193,700

Virginia Beach

$171,600

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

Sample Schools

Riverside

Notre Dame High School (Riverside)

Catholic · 9–12 · $17,800/yr

Riverside Christian School

Christian · K–12 · $9,200-$11,400/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 Riverside breakdown → Full Virginia Beach breakdown →

California private school costs 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.