Is private school cheaper in Washington DC or West Palm Beach?

West Palm Beach has lower average private school tuition at $11,300/year vs $28,400/year in Washington DC. That's $17,100/year less, or $222,300 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in West Palm Beach is $17,100/year less than Washington DC. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $222,300 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $15,200/year in Washington DC, $7,800/year in West Palm Beach.

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

The national average private school tuition is $12,350/year. Washington DC averages $28,400/year ($16,050 above average). West Palm Beach averages $11,300/year ($1,050 below average).

Private School Cost: Washington DC vs West Palm Beach

West Palm Beach averages $17,100/year less for private school (151% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $222,300 per child.

Bottom Line

West Palm Beach is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $11,300/year vs $28,400/year in Washington DC. Religious schools run $7,800/year on the low end.

Washington DC

$28,400

avg tuition/year

$16,050 above national avg

West Palm Beach

$11,300

avg tuition/year

$1,050 below national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Washington DC	West Palm Beach	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$28,400/yr	$11,300/yr	+$17,100
Religious Schools	$15,200/yr	$7,800/yr	+$7,400
Independent/Prep	$46,000/yr	$23,200/yr	+$22,800
Elementary (K-5)	$23,000/yr	$9,600/yr	+$13,400
Middle School (6-8)	$28,400/yr	$11,300/yr	+$17,100
High School (9-12)	$35,500/yr	$13,600/yr	+$21,900

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Washington DC

$369,200

West Palm Beach

$146,900

Choosing West Palm Beach saves $222,300 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $444,600.

Sample Schools

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

West Palm Beach

Palm Beach Day Academy

Independent · PK–8 · $32,400/yr

Cardinal Newman High School (WPB)

Catholic · 9–12 · $15,200/yr

Full Washington DC breakdown → Full West Palm Beach breakdown →

District of Columbia private school costs Florida 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.