Is private school cheaper in Thornton or Washington DC?

Thornton has lower average private school tuition at $13,100/year vs $28,400/year in Washington DC. That's $15,300/year less, or $198,900 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Thornton is $15,300/year less than Washington DC. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $198,900 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $8,500/year in Thornton, $15,200/year in Washington DC.

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

Private School Cost: Thornton vs Washington DC

Thornton averages $15,300/year less for private school (117% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $198,900 per child.

Bottom Line

Thornton is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $13,100/year vs $28,400/year in Washington DC. Religious schools run $8,500/year on the low end.

Thornton

$13,100

avg tuition/year

$750 above national avg

Lower cost

Washington DC

$28,400

avg tuition/year

$16,050 above national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Thornton	Washington DC	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$13,100/yr	$28,400/yr	-$15,300
Religious Schools	$8,500/yr	$15,200/yr	-$6,700
Independent/Prep	$25,700/yr	$46,000/yr	-$20,300
Elementary (K-5)	$11,100/yr	$23,000/yr	-$11,900
Middle School (6-8)	$13,100/yr	$28,400/yr	-$15,300
High School (9-12)	$15,700/yr	$35,500/yr	-$19,800

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Thornton

$170,300

Washington DC

$369,200

Choosing Thornton saves $198,900 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $397,800.

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

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 Thornton breakdown → Full Washington DC breakdown →

Colorado 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.