Private School Cost: Cambridge vs Philadelphia
Philadelphia averages $11,800/year less for private school (58% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $153,400 per child.
Bottom Line
Philadelphia is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $20,200/year vs $32,000/year in Cambridge. Religious schools run $11,400/year on the low end.
Cambridge
MA
$32,000
avg tuition/year
Philadelphia
PA
$20,200
avg tuition/year
Tuition by School Type & Grade
| Category | Cambridge | Philadelphia | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| All Schools (Average) | $32,000/yr | $20,200/yr | +$11,800 |
| Religious Schools | $17,300/yr | $11,400/yr | +$5,900 |
| Independent/Prep | $65,000/yr | $36,000/yr | +$29,000 |
| Elementary (K-5) | $27,200/yr | $16,500/yr | +$10,700 |
| Middle School (6-8) | $32,000/yr | $20,200/yr | +$11,800 |
| High School (9-12) | $38,400/yr | $25,000/yr | +$13,400 |
K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)
Cambridge
$416,000
Philadelphia
$262,600
Choosing Philadelphia saves $153,400 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $306,800.
Sample Schools
Cambridge
Cambridge School of Weston
Independent · 9–12 · $59,400/yr
Buckingham Browne & Nichols School
Independent · PK–12 · $58,800/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
Related Comparisons
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.