Is private school cheaper in Burlington or Fort Lauderdale?

Fort Lauderdale has lower average private school tuition at $11,700/year vs $18,200/year in Burlington. That's $6,500/year less, or $84,500 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Fort Lauderdale is $6,500/year less than Burlington. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $84,500 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $11,000/year in Burlington, $8,100/year in Fort Lauderdale.

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

The national average private school tuition is $12,350/year. Burlington averages $18,200/year ($5,850 above average). Fort Lauderdale averages $11,700/year ($650 below average).

Private School Cost: Burlington vs Fort Lauderdale

Fort Lauderdale averages $6,500/year less for private school (56% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $84,500 per child.

Bottom Line

Fort Lauderdale is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $11,700/year vs $18,200/year in Burlington. Religious schools run $8,100/year on the low end.

Burlington

$18,200

avg tuition/year

$5,850 above national avg

Fort Lauderdale

$11,700

avg tuition/year

$650 below national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Burlington	Fort Lauderdale	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$18,200/yr	$11,700/yr	+$6,500
Religious Schools	$11,000/yr	$8,100/yr	+$2,900
Independent/Prep	$39,800/yr	$24,100/yr	+$15,700
Elementary (K-5)	$15,500/yr	$9,900/yr	+$5,600
Middle School (6-8)	$18,200/yr	$11,700/yr	+$6,500
High School (9-12)	$21,800/yr	$14,000/yr	+$7,800

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Burlington

$236,600

Fort Lauderdale

$152,100

Choosing Fort Lauderdale saves $84,500 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $169,000.

Sample Schools

Burlington

Rice Memorial High School (Burlington VT)

Catholic · 9–12 · $13,200/yr

Champlain Valley Christian School

Christian · K–12 · $9,400-$11,800/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 Burlington breakdown → Full Fort Lauderdale breakdown →

Vermont 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.