Is private school cheaper in Riverside or Washington DC?

Riverside has lower average private school tuition at $14,900/year vs $28,400/year in Washington DC. That's $13,500/year less, or $175,500 over a K-12 career.

How much can I save on private school by choosing Riverside over Washington DC?

Average tuition in Riverside is $13,500/year less than Washington DC. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $175,500 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $9,700/year in Riverside, $15,200/year in Washington DC.

How do Riverside and Washington DC 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). Washington DC averages $28,400/year ($16,050 above average).

Private School Cost: Riverside vs Washington DC

Riverside averages $13,500/year less for private school (91% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $175,500 per child.

Bottom Line

Riverside is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $14,900/year vs $28,400/year in Washington DC. Religious schools run $9,700/year on the low end.

Riverside

$14,900

avg tuition/year

$2,550 above national avg

Lower cost

Washington DC

$28,400

avg tuition/year

$16,050 above national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Riverside	Washington DC	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$14,900/yr	$28,400/yr	-$13,500
Religious Schools	$9,700/yr	$15,200/yr	-$5,500
Independent/Prep	$29,000/yr	$46,000/yr	-$17,000
Elementary (K-5)	$12,700/yr	$23,000/yr	-$10,300
Middle School (6-8)	$14,900/yr	$28,400/yr	-$13,500
High School (9-12)	$17,900/yr	$35,500/yr	-$17,600

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Riverside

$193,700

Washington DC

$369,200

Choosing Riverside saves $175,500 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $351,000.

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

Washington DC

Sidwell Friends School

Independent (Quaker) · PK–12 · $52,900/yr

Georgetown Day School

Independent · PK–12 · $51,400/yr

National Cathedral School

Independent · 4–12 · $50,200/yr

Gonzaga College High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $25,400/yr

Full Riverside breakdown → Full Washington DC breakdown →

California private school costs District of Columbia private school costs

Related Comparisons

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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.