Is private school cheaper in Virginia Beach or Washington DC?

Virginia Beach has lower average private school tuition at $13,200/year vs $28,400/year in Washington DC. That's $15,200/year less, or $197,600 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Virginia Beach is $15,200/year less than Washington DC. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $197,600 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $8,600/year in Virginia Beach, $15,200/year in Washington DC.

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

The national average private school tuition is $12,350/year. Virginia Beach averages $13,200/year ($850 above average). Washington DC averages $28,400/year ($16,050 above average).

Private School Cost: Virginia Beach vs Washington DC

Virginia Beach averages $15,200/year less for private school (115% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $197,600 per child.

Bottom Line

Virginia Beach is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $13,200/year vs $28,400/year in Washington DC. Religious schools run $8,600/year on the low end.

Virginia Beach

$13,200

avg tuition/year

$850 above national avg

Lower cost

Washington DC

$28,400

avg tuition/year

$16,050 above national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Virginia Beach	Washington DC	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$13,200/yr	$28,400/yr	-$15,200
Religious Schools	$8,600/yr	$15,200/yr	-$6,600
Independent/Prep	$24,500/yr	$46,000/yr	-$21,500
Elementary (K-5)	$10,800/yr	$23,000/yr	-$12,200
Middle School (6-8)	$13,200/yr	$28,400/yr	-$15,200
High School (9-12)	$16,200/yr	$35,500/yr	-$19,300

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Virginia Beach

$171,600

Washington DC

$369,200

Choosing Virginia Beach saves $197,600 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $395,200.

Sample Schools

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

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 Virginia Beach breakdown → Full Washington DC breakdown →

Virginia private school costs District of Columbia private school costs

Related Comparisons

Washington DC vs Atlanta →

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.