Is private school cheaper in Sunnyvale or Washington DC?

Sunnyvale has lower average private school tuition at $21,600/year vs $28,400/year in Washington DC. That's $6,800/year less, or $88,400 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Sunnyvale is $6,800/year less than Washington DC. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $88,400 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $14,100/year in Sunnyvale, $15,200/year in Washington DC.

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

The national average private school tuition is $12,350/year. Sunnyvale averages $21,600/year ($9,250 above average). Washington DC averages $28,400/year ($16,050 above average).

Private School Cost: Sunnyvale vs Washington DC

Sunnyvale averages $6,800/year less for private school (31% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $88,400 per child.

Bottom Line

Sunnyvale is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $21,600/year vs $28,400/year in Washington DC. Religious schools run $14,100/year on the low end.

Sunnyvale

$21,600

avg tuition/year

$9,250 above national avg

Lower cost

Washington DC

$28,400

avg tuition/year

$16,050 above national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Sunnyvale	Washington DC	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$21,600/yr	$28,400/yr	-$6,800
Religious Schools	$14,100/yr	$15,200/yr	-$1,100
Independent/Prep	$42,100/yr	$46,000/yr	-$3,900
Elementary (K-5)	$18,400/yr	$23,000/yr	-$4,600
Middle School (6-8)	$21,600/yr	$28,400/yr	-$6,800
High School (9-12)	$25,900/yr	$35,500/yr	-$9,600

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Sunnyvale

$280,800

Washington DC

$369,200

Choosing Sunnyvale saves $88,400 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $176,800.

Sample Schools

Sunnyvale

Archbishop Mitty High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $26,800/yr

Stratford School (Sunnyvale)

Independent · PK–8 · $24,200-$27,600/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 Sunnyvale breakdown → Full Washington DC breakdown →

California 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.