Is private school cheaper in Clearwater or Fort Lauderdale?

Clearwater has lower average private school tuition at $10,200/year vs $11,700/year in Fort Lauderdale. That's $1,500/year less, or $19,500 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Clearwater is $1,500/year less than Fort Lauderdale. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $19,500 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $7,100/year in Clearwater, $8,100/year in Fort Lauderdale.

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

The national average private school tuition is $12,350/year. Clearwater averages $10,200/year ($2,150 below average). Fort Lauderdale averages $11,700/year ($650 below average).

Private School Cost: Clearwater vs Fort Lauderdale

Clearwater averages $1,500/year less for private school (15% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $19,500 per child.

Bottom Line

Clearwater is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $10,200/year vs $11,700/year in Fort Lauderdale. Religious schools run $7,100/year on the low end.

Clearwater

$10,200

avg tuition/year

$2,150 below national avg

Lower cost

Fort Lauderdale

$11,700

avg tuition/year

$650 below national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Clearwater	Fort Lauderdale	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$10,200/yr	$11,700/yr	-$1,500
Religious Schools	$7,100/yr	$8,100/yr	-$1,000
Independent/Prep	$21,100/yr	$24,100/yr	-$3,000
Elementary (K-5)	$8,700/yr	$9,900/yr	-$1,200
Middle School (6-8)	$10,200/yr	$11,700/yr	-$1,500
High School (9-12)	$12,200/yr	$14,000/yr	-$1,800

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Clearwater

$132,600

Fort Lauderdale

$152,100

Choosing Clearwater saves $19,500 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $39,000.

Sample Schools

Clearwater

Calvary Christian Academy (Clearwater)

Christian · PK–12 · $10,400-$12,800/yr

Holy Trinity Episcopal Academy

Independent (Episcopal) · PK–12 · $14,200/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 Clearwater breakdown → Full Fort Lauderdale breakdown →

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.