Is private school cheaper in Clearwater or Orange County?

Clearwater has lower average private school tuition at $10,200/year vs $20,800/year in Orange County. That's $10,600/year less, or $137,800 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Clearwater is $10,600/year less than Orange County. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $137,800 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $7,100/year in Clearwater, $11,200/year in Orange County.

How do Clearwater and Orange County 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). Orange County averages $20,800/year ($8,450 above average).

Private School Cost: Clearwater vs Orange County

Clearwater averages $10,600/year less for private school (104% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $137,800 per child.

Bottom Line

Clearwater is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $10,200/year vs $20,800/year in Orange County. Religious schools run $7,100/year on the low end.

Clearwater

$10,200

avg tuition/year

$2,150 below national avg

Lower cost

Orange County

$20,800

avg tuition/year

$8,450 above national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Clearwater	Orange County	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$10,200/yr	$20,800/yr	-$10,600
Religious Schools	$7,100/yr	$11,200/yr	-$4,100
Independent/Prep	$21,100/yr	$34,800/yr	-$13,700
Elementary (K-5)	$8,700/yr	$17,000/yr	-$8,300
Middle School (6-8)	$10,200/yr	$20,800/yr	-$10,600
High School (9-12)	$12,200/yr	$25,500/yr	-$13,300

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Clearwater

$132,600

Orange County

$270,400

Choosing Clearwater saves $137,800 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $275,600.

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

Orange County

Sage Hill School

Independent · 9–12 · $41,800/yr

Fairmont Preparatory Academy

Independent · 9–12 · $34,600-$37,200/yr

Calvary Chapel Academy

Christian · K–12 · $10,400-$12,800/yr

JSerra Catholic High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $22,400/yr

Full Clearwater breakdown → Full Orange County breakdown →

Florida private school costs California 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.