Is private school cheaper in Buffalo or Philadelphia?

Buffalo has lower average private school tuition at $18,500/year vs $20,200/year in Philadelphia. That's $1,700/year less, or $22,100 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Buffalo is $1,700/year less than Philadelphia. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $22,100 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $10,600/year in Buffalo, $11,400/year in Philadelphia.

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

The national average private school tuition is $12,350/year. Buffalo averages $18,500/year ($6,150 above average). Philadelphia averages $20,200/year ($7,850 above average).

Private School Cost: Buffalo vs Philadelphia

Buffalo averages $1,700/year less for private school (9% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $22,100 per child.

Bottom Line

Buffalo is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $18,500/year vs $20,200/year in Philadelphia. Religious schools run $10,600/year on the low end.

Buffalo

$18,500

avg tuition/year

$6,150 above national avg

Lower cost

Philadelphia

$20,200

avg tuition/year

$7,850 above national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Buffalo	Philadelphia	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$18,500/yr	$20,200/yr	-$1,700
Religious Schools	$10,600/yr	$11,400/yr	-$800
Independent/Prep	$39,400/yr	$36,000/yr	+$3,400
Elementary (K-5)	$15,700/yr	$16,500/yr	-$800
Middle School (6-8)	$18,500/yr	$20,200/yr	-$1,700
High School (9-12)	$22,200/yr	$25,000/yr	-$2,800

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Buffalo

$240,500

Philadelphia

$262,600

Choosing Buffalo saves $22,100 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $44,200.

Sample Schools

Buffalo

Canisius High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $16,200/yr

Buffalo Seminary

Independent · 7–12 · $22,400/yr

Nardin Academy

Catholic · PK–12 · $16,800/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 Buffalo 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.