Private School Cost: Virginia Beach vs West Palm Beach
West Palm Beach averages $1,900/year less for private school (17% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $24,700 per child.
Bottom Line
West Palm Beach is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $11,300/year vs $13,200/year in Virginia Beach. Religious schools run $7,800/year on the low end.
Virginia Beach
VA
$13,200
avg tuition/year
West Palm Beach
FL
$11,300
avg tuition/year
Tuition by School Type & Grade
| Category | Virginia Beach | West Palm Beach | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| All Schools (Average) | $13,200/yr | $11,300/yr | +$1,900 |
| Religious Schools | $8,600/yr | $7,800/yr | +$800 |
| Independent/Prep | $24,500/yr | $23,200/yr | +$1,300 |
| Elementary (K-5) | $10,800/yr | $9,600/yr | +$1,200 |
| Middle School (6-8) | $13,200/yr | $11,300/yr | +$1,900 |
| High School (9-12) | $16,200/yr | $13,600/yr | +$2,600 |
K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)
Virginia Beach
$171,600
West Palm Beach
$146,900
Choosing West Palm Beach saves $24,700 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $49,400.
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
West Palm Beach
Palm Beach Day Academy
Independent · PK–8 · $32,400/yr
Cardinal Newman High School (WPB)
Catholic · 9–12 · $15,200/yr
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.