Is private school cheaper in Albany or Clearwater?

Clearwater has lower average private school tuition at $10,200/year vs $19,700/year in Albany. That's $9,500/year less, or $123,500 over a K-12 career.

How much can I save on private school by choosing Clearwater over Albany?

Average tuition in Clearwater is $9,500/year less than Albany. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $123,500 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $11,300/year in Albany, $7,100/year in Clearwater.

How do Albany and Clearwater private school costs compare to the national average?

The national average private school tuition is $12,350/year. Albany averages $19,700/year ($7,350 above average). Clearwater averages $10,200/year ($2,150 below average).

Private School Cost: Albany vs Clearwater

Clearwater averages $9,500/year less for private school (93% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $123,500 per child.

Bottom Line

Clearwater is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $10,200/year vs $19,700/year in Albany. Religious schools run $7,100/year on the low end.

Albany

$19,700

avg tuition/year

$7,350 above national avg

Clearwater

$10,200

avg tuition/year

$2,150 below national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Albany	Clearwater	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$19,700/yr	$10,200/yr	+$9,500
Religious Schools	$11,300/yr	$7,100/yr	+$4,200
Independent/Prep	$41,900/yr	$21,100/yr	+$20,800
Elementary (K-5)	$16,700/yr	$8,700/yr	+$8,000
Middle School (6-8)	$19,700/yr	$10,200/yr	+$9,500
High School (9-12)	$23,600/yr	$12,200/yr	+$11,400

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Albany

$256,100

Clearwater

$132,600

Choosing Clearwater saves $123,500 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $247,000.

Sample Schools

Albany

Albany Academy (NY)

Independent · PK–12 · $28,400/yr

Vincentian Institute

Catholic · PK–12 · $12,800/yr

Clearwater

Calvary Christian Academy (Clearwater)

Christian · PK–12 · $10,400-$12,800/yr

Holy Trinity Episcopal Academy

Independent (Episcopal) · PK–12 · $14,200/yr

Full Albany breakdown → Full Clearwater breakdown →

New York private school costs Florida private school costs

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.