Is private school cheaper in Colorado Springs or Philadelphia?

Colorado Springs has lower average private school tuition at $13,100/year vs $20,200/year in Philadelphia. That's $7,100/year less, or $92,300 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Colorado Springs is $7,100/year less than Philadelphia. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $92,300 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $8,500/year in Colorado Springs, $11,400/year in Philadelphia.

How do Colorado Springs and Philadelphia private school costs compare to the national average?

The national average private school tuition is $12,350/year. Colorado Springs averages $13,100/year ($750 above average). Philadelphia averages $20,200/year ($7,850 above average).

Private School Cost: Colorado Springs vs Philadelphia

Colorado Springs averages $7,100/year less for private school (54% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $92,300 per child.

Bottom Line

Colorado Springs is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $13,100/year vs $20,200/year in Philadelphia. Religious schools run $8,500/year on the low end.

Colorado Springs

$13,100

avg tuition/year

$750 above national avg

Lower cost

Philadelphia

$20,200

avg tuition/year

$7,850 above national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Colorado Springs	Philadelphia	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$13,100/yr	$20,200/yr	-$7,100
Religious Schools	$8,500/yr	$11,400/yr	-$2,900
Independent/Prep	$25,700/yr	$36,000/yr	-$10,300
Elementary (K-5)	$11,100/yr	$16,500/yr	-$5,400
Middle School (6-8)	$13,100/yr	$20,200/yr	-$7,100
High School (9-12)	$15,700/yr	$25,000/yr	-$9,300

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Colorado Springs

$170,300

Philadelphia

$262,600

Choosing Colorado Springs saves $92,300 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $184,600.

Sample Schools

Colorado Springs

Colorado Springs Christian School

Christian · K–12 · $11,200-$14,400/yr

Cheyenne Mountain School District 12 (Private Prep)

Independent · K–12 · $12,800/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

Full Colorado Springs breakdown → Full Philadelphia breakdown →

Colorado private school costs Pennsylvania private school costs

Related Comparisons

New York vs Philadelphia → Boston vs Philadelphia →

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.