Is private school cheaper in Bridgeport or Philadelphia?

Philadelphia has lower average private school tuition at $20,200/year vs $23,100/year in Bridgeport. That's $2,900/year less, or $37,700 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Philadelphia is $2,900/year less than Bridgeport. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $37,700 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $12,700/year in Bridgeport, $11,400/year in Philadelphia.

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

The national average private school tuition is $12,350/year. Bridgeport averages $23,100/year ($10,750 above average). Philadelphia averages $20,200/year ($7,850 above average).

Private School Cost: Bridgeport vs Philadelphia

Philadelphia averages $2,900/year less for private school (14% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $37,700 per child.

Bottom Line

Philadelphia is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $20,200/year vs $23,100/year in Bridgeport. Religious schools run $11,400/year on the low end.

Bridgeport

$23,100

avg tuition/year

$10,750 above national avg

Philadelphia

$20,200

avg tuition/year

$7,850 above national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Bridgeport	Philadelphia	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$23,100/yr	$20,200/yr	+$2,900
Religious Schools	$12,700/yr	$11,400/yr	+$1,300
Independent/Prep	$45,900/yr	$36,000/yr	+$9,900
Elementary (K-5)	$19,600/yr	$16,500/yr	+$3,100
Middle School (6-8)	$23,100/yr	$20,200/yr	+$2,900
High School (9-12)	$27,700/yr	$25,000/yr	+$2,700

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Bridgeport

$300,300

Philadelphia

$262,600

Choosing Philadelphia saves $37,700 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $75,400.

Sample Schools

Bridgeport

Fairfield Prep

Catholic · 9–12 · $22,800/yr

Academy of Our Lady of Mercy

Catholic · PK–12 · $14,800/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 Bridgeport breakdown → Full Philadelphia breakdown →

Connecticut 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.