Is private school cheaper in Thornton or Virginia Beach?

Thornton has lower average private school tuition at $13,100/year vs $13,200/year in Virginia Beach. That's $100/year less, or $1,300 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Thornton is $100/year less than Virginia Beach. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $1,300 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $8,500/year in Thornton, $8,600/year in Virginia Beach.

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

The national average private school tuition is $12,350/year. Thornton averages $13,100/year ($750 above average). Virginia Beach averages $13,200/year ($850 above average).

Private School Cost: Thornton vs Virginia Beach

Thornton averages $100/year less for private school (1% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $1,300 per child.

Bottom Line

Thornton is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $13,100/year vs $13,200/year in Virginia Beach. Religious schools run $8,500/year on the low end.

Thornton

$13,100

avg tuition/year

$750 above national avg

Lower cost

Virginia Beach

$13,200

avg tuition/year

$850 above national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Thornton	Virginia Beach	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$13,100/yr	$13,200/yr	-$100
Religious Schools	$8,500/yr	$8,600/yr	-$100
Independent/Prep	$25,700/yr	$24,500/yr	+$1,200
Elementary (K-5)	$11,100/yr	$10,800/yr	+$300
Middle School (6-8)	$13,100/yr	$13,200/yr	-$100
High School (9-12)	$15,700/yr	$16,200/yr	-$500

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Thornton

$170,300

Virginia Beach

$171,600

Choosing Thornton saves $1,300 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $2,600.

Sample Schools

Thornton

Thornton Christian Academy

Christian · K–12 · $9,200-$11,400/yr

St. Pius X Catholic School (Thornton)

Catholic · K–8 · $8,400-$10,200/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 Thornton breakdown → Full Virginia Beach breakdown →

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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.