Is private school cheaper in Washington DC or Worcester?

Worcester has lower average private school tuition at $23,600/year vs $28,400/year in Washington DC. That's $4,800/year less, or $62,400 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Worcester is $4,800/year less than Washington DC. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $62,400 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $15,200/year in Washington DC, $12,800/year in Worcester.

How do Washington DC and Worcester 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). Worcester averages $23,600/year ($11,250 above average).

Private School Cost: Washington DC vs Worcester

Worcester averages $4,800/year less for private school (20% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $62,400 per child.

Bottom Line

Worcester is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $23,600/year vs $28,400/year in Washington DC. Religious schools run $12,800/year on the low end.

Washington DC

$28,400

avg tuition/year

$16,050 above national avg

Worcester

$23,600

avg tuition/year

$11,250 above national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Washington DC	Worcester	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$28,400/yr	$23,600/yr	+$4,800
Religious Schools	$15,200/yr	$12,800/yr	+$2,400
Independent/Prep	$46,000/yr	$48,100/yr	-$2,100
Elementary (K-5)	$23,000/yr	$20,100/yr	+$2,900
Middle School (6-8)	$28,400/yr	$23,600/yr	+$4,800
High School (9-12)	$35,500/yr	$28,300/yr	+$7,200

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Washington DC

$369,200

Worcester

$306,800

Choosing Worcester saves $62,400 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $124,800.

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

Worcester

Holy Name Central Catholic High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $13,800/yr

Worcester Academy

Independent · 9–12 · $36,400/yr

Full Washington DC breakdown → Full Worcester breakdown →

District of Columbia private school costs Massachusetts 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.