Is private school cheaper in Albany or Philadelphia?

Albany has lower average private school tuition at $19,700/year vs $20,200/year in Philadelphia. That's $500/year less, or $6,500 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Albany is $500/year less than Philadelphia. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $6,500 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $11,300/year in Albany, $11,400/year in Philadelphia.

How do Albany and Philadelphia 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). Philadelphia averages $20,200/year ($7,850 above average).

Private School Cost: Albany vs Philadelphia

Albany averages $500/year less for private school (3% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $6,500 per child.

Bottom Line

Albany is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $19,700/year vs $20,200/year in Philadelphia. Religious schools run $11,300/year on the low end.

Albany

$19,700

avg tuition/year

$7,350 above national avg

Lower cost

Philadelphia

$20,200

avg tuition/year

$7,850 above national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Albany	Philadelphia	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$19,700/yr	$20,200/yr	-$500
Religious Schools	$11,300/yr	$11,400/yr	-$100
Independent/Prep	$41,900/yr	$36,000/yr	+$5,900
Elementary (K-5)	$16,700/yr	$16,500/yr	+$200
Middle School (6-8)	$19,700/yr	$20,200/yr	-$500
High School (9-12)	$23,600/yr	$25,000/yr	-$1,400

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Albany

$256,100

Philadelphia

$262,600

Choosing Albany saves $6,500 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $13,000.

Sample Schools

Albany

Albany Academy (NY)

Independent · PK–12 · $28,400/yr

Vincentian Institute

Catholic · PK–12 · $12,800/yr

Philadelphia

Episcopal Academy

Independent · PK–12 · $40,800-$43,200/yr

The Haverford School

Independent · PK–12 · $41,200/yr

Germantown Friends School

Independent (Quaker) · K–12 · $38,600/yr

La Salle College High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $19,200/yr

Full Albany breakdown → Full Philadelphia breakdown →

New York private school costs Pennsylvania private school costs

Related Comparisons

New York vs Philadelphia → Boston vs Philadelphia →

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.