Is private school cheaper in Clearwater or Lafayette?

Lafayette has lower average private school tuition at $6,200/year vs $10,200/year in Clearwater. That's $4,000/year less, or $52,000 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Lafayette is $4,000/year less than Clearwater. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $52,000 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $7,100/year in Clearwater, $4,600/year in Lafayette.

How do Clearwater and Lafayette 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). Lafayette averages $6,200/year ($6,150 below average).

Private School Cost: Clearwater vs Lafayette

Lafayette averages $4,000/year less for private school (65% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $52,000 per child.

Bottom Line

Lafayette is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $6,200/year vs $10,200/year in Clearwater. Religious schools run $4,600/year on the low end.

Clearwater

$10,200

avg tuition/year

$2,150 below national avg

Lafayette

$6,200

avg tuition/year

$6,150 below national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Clearwater	Lafayette	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$10,200/yr	$6,200/yr	+$4,000
Religious Schools	$7,100/yr	$4,600/yr	+$2,500
Independent/Prep	$21,100/yr	$14,900/yr	+$6,200
Elementary (K-5)	$8,700/yr	$5,300/yr	+$3,400
Middle School (6-8)	$10,200/yr	$6,200/yr	+$4,000
High School (9-12)	$12,200/yr	$7,400/yr	+$4,800

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Clearwater

$132,600

Lafayette

$80,600

Choosing Lafayette saves $52,000 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $104,000.

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

Lafayette

Teurlings Catholic High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $9,600/yr

Ascension Episcopal School (Lafayette)

Independent (Episcopal) · PK–12 · $14,800/yr

Full Clearwater breakdown → Full Lafayette breakdown →

Florida private school costs Louisiana 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.