Is private school cheaper in Salem or Washington DC?

Salem has lower average private school tuition at $12,400/year vs $28,400/year in Washington DC. That's $16,000/year less, or $208,000 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Salem is $16,000/year less than Washington DC. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $208,000 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $8,400/year in Salem, $15,200/year in Washington DC.

How do Salem and Washington DC private school costs compare to the national average?

The national average private school tuition is $12,350/year. Salem averages $12,400/year ($50 above average). Washington DC averages $28,400/year ($16,050 above average).

Private School Cost: Salem vs Washington DC

Salem averages $16,000/year less for private school (129% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $208,000 per child.

Bottom Line

Salem is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $12,400/year vs $28,400/year in Washington DC. Religious schools run $8,400/year on the low end.

Salem

$12,400

avg tuition/year

$50 above national avg

Lower cost

Washington DC

$28,400

avg tuition/year

$16,050 above national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Salem	Washington DC	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$12,400/yr	$28,400/yr	-$16,000
Religious Schools	$8,400/yr	$15,200/yr	-$6,800
Independent/Prep	$25,000/yr	$46,000/yr	-$21,000
Elementary (K-5)	$10,500/yr	$23,000/yr	-$12,500
Middle School (6-8)	$12,400/yr	$28,400/yr	-$16,000
High School (9-12)	$14,900/yr	$35,500/yr	-$20,600

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Salem

$161,200

Washington DC

$369,200

Choosing Salem saves $208,000 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $416,000.

Sample Schools

Salem

Salem Academy (OR)

Christian · 9–12 · $14,800/yr

Blanchet Catholic School (Salem)

Catholic · 9–12 · $12,400/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 Salem breakdown → Full Washington DC breakdown →

Oregon private school costs District of Columbia private school costs

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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.