Is private school cheaper in Clearwater or Philadelphia?

Clearwater has lower average private school tuition at $10,200/year vs $20,200/year in Philadelphia. That's $10,000/year less, or $130,000 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Clearwater is $10,000/year less than Philadelphia. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $130,000 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $7,100/year in Clearwater, $11,400/year in Philadelphia.

How do Clearwater and Philadelphia 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). Philadelphia averages $20,200/year ($7,850 above average).

Private School Cost: Clearwater vs Philadelphia

Clearwater averages $10,000/year less for private school (98% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $130,000 per child.

Bottom Line

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

Clearwater

$10,200

avg tuition/year

$2,150 below national avg

Lower cost

Philadelphia

$20,200

avg tuition/year

$7,850 above national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Clearwater	Philadelphia	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$10,200/yr	$20,200/yr	-$10,000
Religious Schools	$7,100/yr	$11,400/yr	-$4,300
Independent/Prep	$21,100/yr	$36,000/yr	-$14,900
Elementary (K-5)	$8,700/yr	$16,500/yr	-$7,800
Middle School (6-8)	$10,200/yr	$20,200/yr	-$10,000
High School (9-12)	$12,200/yr	$25,000/yr	-$12,800

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Clearwater

$132,600

Philadelphia

$262,600

Choosing Clearwater saves $130,000 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $260,000.

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

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

Full Clearwater breakdown → Full Philadelphia breakdown →

Florida private school costs Pennsylvania private school costs

Related Comparisons

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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.