Is private school cheaper in Austin or Philadelphia?

Austin has lower average private school tuition at $15,500/year vs $20,200/year in Philadelphia. That's $4,700/year less, or $61,100 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Austin is $4,700/year less than Philadelphia. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $61,100 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $9,400/year in Austin, $11,400/year in Philadelphia.

How do Austin and Philadelphia private school costs compare to the national average?

The national average private school tuition is $12,350/year. Austin averages $15,500/year ($3,150 above average). Philadelphia averages $20,200/year ($7,850 above average).

Private School Cost: Austin vs Philadelphia

Austin averages $4,700/year less for private school (30% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $61,100 per child.

Bottom Line

Austin is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $15,500/year vs $20,200/year in Philadelphia. Religious schools run $9,400/year on the low end.

Austin

$15,500

avg tuition/year

$3,150 above national avg

Lower cost

Philadelphia

$20,200

avg tuition/year

$7,850 above national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Austin	Philadelphia	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$15,500/yr	$20,200/yr	-$4,700
Religious Schools	$9,400/yr	$11,400/yr	-$2,000
Independent/Prep	$28,200/yr	$36,000/yr	-$7,800
Elementary (K-5)	$12,800/yr	$16,500/yr	-$3,700
Middle School (6-8)	$15,500/yr	$20,200/yr	-$4,700
High School (9-12)	$19,200/yr	$25,000/yr	-$5,800

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Austin

$201,500

Philadelphia

$262,600

Choosing Austin saves $61,100 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $122,200.

Sample Schools

Austin

St. Andrew's Episcopal School (Austin)

Independent · PK–12 · $32,800-$35,400/yr

Austin Preparatory School

Catholic · 6–12 · $14,200/yr

St. Michael's Catholic Academy

Catholic · 9–12 · $15,800/yr

Hyde Park Baptist School

Christian · PK–12 · $13,400-$15,200/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 Austin breakdown → Full Philadelphia breakdown →

Texas private school costs Pennsylvania private school costs

Related Comparisons

Houston vs Austin → Dallas vs Austin → Austin vs San Antonio → New York 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.