Is private school cheaper in Washington DC or Westminster?

Westminster 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 Westminster over Washington DC?

Average tuition in Westminster 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: $15,200/year in Washington DC, $8,500/year in Westminster.

How do Washington DC and Westminster 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). Westminster averages $13,100/year ($750 above average).

Private School Cost: Washington DC vs Westminster

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

Bottom Line

Westminster 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.

Washington DC

$28,400

avg tuition/year

$16,050 above national avg

Westminster

$13,100

avg tuition/year

$750 above national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

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

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Washington DC

$369,200

Westminster

$170,300

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

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

Westminster

Westminster Christian Academy

Christian · K–12 · $9,400-$11,800/yr

Holy Trinity School (Westminster CO)

Catholic · K–8 · $8,200-$10,200/yr

Full Washington DC breakdown → Full Westminster breakdown →

District of Columbia private school costs Colorado 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.