Is private school cheaper in Dayton or Fort Lauderdale?

Dayton has lower average private school tuition at $8,100/year vs $11,700/year in Fort Lauderdale. That's $3,600/year less, or $46,800 over a K-12 career.

How much can I save on private school by choosing Dayton over Fort Lauderdale?

Average tuition in Dayton is $3,600/year less than Fort Lauderdale. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $46,800 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $5,700/year in Dayton, $8,100/year in Fort Lauderdale.

How do Dayton and Fort Lauderdale private school costs compare to the national average?

The national average private school tuition is $12,350/year. Dayton averages $8,100/year ($4,250 below average). Fort Lauderdale averages $11,700/year ($650 below average).

Private School Cost: Dayton vs Fort Lauderdale

Dayton averages $3,600/year less for private school (44% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $46,800 per child.

Bottom Line

Dayton is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $8,100/year vs $11,700/year in Fort Lauderdale. Religious schools run $5,700/year on the low end.

Dayton

$8,100

avg tuition/year

$4,250 below national avg

Lower cost

Fort Lauderdale

$11,700

avg tuition/year

$650 below national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Dayton	Fort Lauderdale	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$8,100/yr	$11,700/yr	-$3,600
Religious Schools	$5,700/yr	$8,100/yr	-$2,400
Independent/Prep	$18,700/yr	$24,100/yr	-$5,400
Elementary (K-5)	$6,900/yr	$9,900/yr	-$3,000
Middle School (6-8)	$8,100/yr	$11,700/yr	-$3,600
High School (9-12)	$9,700/yr	$14,000/yr	-$4,300

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Dayton

$105,300

Fort Lauderdale

$152,100

Choosing Dayton saves $46,800 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $93,600.

Sample Schools

Dayton

Chaminade Julienne Catholic High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $11,400/yr

Dayton Christian Schools

Christian · K–12 · $9,600-$12,000/yr

Fort Lauderdale

Pine Crest School

Independent · PK–12 · $34,800/yr

Cardinal Gibbons High School (Ft. Laud.)

Catholic · 9–12 · $14,800/yr

Westminster Academy

Christian · PK–12 · $18,400/yr

Full Dayton breakdown → Full Fort Lauderdale breakdown →

Ohio private school costs Florida 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.