Is private school cheaper in Bellevue or Fort Lauderdale?

Fort Lauderdale has lower average private school tuition at $11,700/year vs $18,600/year in Bellevue. That's $6,900/year less, or $89,700 over a K-12 career.

How much can I save on private school by choosing Fort Lauderdale over Bellevue?

Average tuition in Fort Lauderdale is $6,900/year less than Bellevue. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $89,700 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $12,700/year in Bellevue, $8,100/year in Fort Lauderdale.

How do Bellevue and Fort Lauderdale private school costs compare to the national average?

The national average private school tuition is $12,350/year. Bellevue averages $18,600/year ($6,250 above average). Fort Lauderdale averages $11,700/year ($650 below average).

Private School Cost: Bellevue vs Fort Lauderdale

Fort Lauderdale averages $6,900/year less for private school (59% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $89,700 per child.

Bottom Line

Fort Lauderdale is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $11,700/year vs $18,600/year in Bellevue. Religious schools run $8,100/year on the low end.

Bellevue

$18,600

avg tuition/year

$6,250 above national avg

Fort Lauderdale

$11,700

avg tuition/year

$650 below national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Bellevue	Fort Lauderdale	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$18,600/yr	$11,700/yr	+$6,900
Religious Schools	$12,700/yr	$8,100/yr	+$4,600
Independent/Prep	$39,700/yr	$24,100/yr	+$15,600
Elementary (K-5)	$15,800/yr	$9,900/yr	+$5,900
Middle School (6-8)	$18,600/yr	$11,700/yr	+$6,900
High School (9-12)	$22,300/yr	$14,000/yr	+$8,300

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Bellevue

$241,800

Fort Lauderdale

$152,100

Choosing Fort Lauderdale saves $89,700 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $179,400.

Sample Schools

Bellevue

The Overlake School

Independent · 5–12 · $37,800/yr

Bellevue Christian School

Christian · PK–12 · $14,200/yr

Bellarmine Preparatory School (Tacoma)

Catholic · 9–12 · $18,400/yr

Fort Lauderdale

Pine Crest School

Independent · PK–12 · $34,800/yr

Cardinal Gibbons High School (Ft. Laud.)

Catholic · 9–12 · $14,800/yr

Westminster Academy

Christian · PK–12 · $18,400/yr

Full Bellevue breakdown → Full Fort Lauderdale breakdown →

Washington 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.