Is private school cheaper in Dallas or Philadelphia?

Dallas has lower average private school tuition at $17,200/year vs $20,200/year in Philadelphia. That's $3,000/year less, or $39,000 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Dallas is $3,000/year less than Philadelphia. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $39,000 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $9,500/year in Dallas, $11,400/year in Philadelphia.

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

The national average private school tuition is $12,350/year. Dallas averages $17,200/year ($4,850 above average). Philadelphia averages $20,200/year ($7,850 above average).

Private School Cost: Dallas vs Philadelphia

Dallas averages $3,000/year less for private school (17% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $39,000 per child.

Bottom Line

Dallas is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $17,200/year vs $20,200/year in Philadelphia. Religious schools run $9,500/year on the low end.

Dallas

$17,200

avg tuition/year

$4,850 above national avg

Lower cost

Philadelphia

$20,200

avg tuition/year

$7,850 above national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Dallas	Philadelphia	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$17,200/yr	$20,200/yr	-$3,000
Religious Schools	$9,500/yr	$11,400/yr	-$1,900
Independent/Prep	$30,000/yr	$36,000/yr	-$6,000
Elementary (K-5)	$14,000/yr	$16,500/yr	-$2,500
Middle School (6-8)	$17,200/yr	$20,200/yr	-$3,000
High School (9-12)	$21,000/yr	$25,000/yr	-$4,000

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Dallas

$223,600

Philadelphia

$262,600

Choosing Dallas saves $39,000 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $78,000.

Sample Schools

Dallas

Greenhill School

Independent · PK–12 · $38,400-$41,200/yr

St. Mark's School of Texas

Independent · 1–12 · $38,200/yr

Hockaday School

Independent · PK–12 · $39,800/yr

Jesuit College Preparatory School of Dallas

Catholic · 9–12 · $21,800/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 Dallas breakdown → Full Philadelphia breakdown →

Texas private school costs Pennsylvania private school costs

Related Comparisons

Houston vs Dallas → Dallas vs Austin → Dallas vs San Antonio → Fort Worth vs Dallas →

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.