PrivateSchoolCost

Private School Cost: Atlanta vs Tampa

Tampa averages $2,700/year less for private school (22% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $35,100 per child.

Bottom Line

Tampa is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $12,500/year vs $15,200/year in Atlanta. Religious schools run $8,200/year on the low end.

Atlanta

GA

$15,200

avg tuition/year

$2,850 above national avg

Tampa

FL

$12,500

avg tuition/year

$150 above national avg
Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category Atlanta Tampa Difference
All Schools (Average) $15,200/yr $12,500/yr +$2,700
Religious Schools $9,400/yr $8,200/yr +$1,200
Independent/Prep $28,500/yr $23,500/yr +$5,000
Elementary (K-5) $12,500/yr $10,200/yr +$2,300
Middle School (6-8) $15,200/yr $12,500/yr +$2,700
High School (9-12) $18,800/yr $15,500/yr +$3,300

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Atlanta

$197,600

Tampa

$162,500

Choosing Tampa saves $35,100 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $70,200.

Sample Schools

Atlanta

The Westminster Schools

Independent · 1–12 · $35,800-$38,400/yr

Pace Academy

Independent · K–12 · $34,200/yr

Lovett School

Independent · K–12 · $33,600/yr

Marist School Atlanta

Catholic · 7–12 · $19,400/yr

Tampa

Academy at the Lakes

Independent · PK–12 · $23,800-$26,200/yr

Jesuit High School (Tampa)

Catholic · 9–12 · $16,800/yr

Berkeley Preparatory School

Independent · PK–12 · $27,200-$29,800/yr

Tampa Prep

Independent · 6–12 · $22,400-$24,200/yr

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.