Is private school cheaper in Dayton or West Palm Beach?

Dayton has lower average private school tuition at $8,100/year vs $11,300/year in West Palm Beach. That's $3,200/year less, or $41,600 over a K-12 career.

How much can I save on private school by choosing Dayton over West Palm Beach?

Average tuition in Dayton is $3,200/year less than West Palm Beach. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $41,600 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $5,700/year in Dayton, $7,800/year in West Palm Beach.

How do Dayton and West Palm Beach 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). West Palm Beach averages $11,300/year ($1,050 below average).

Private School Cost: Dayton vs West Palm Beach

Dayton averages $3,200/year less for private school (40% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $41,600 per child.

Bottom Line

Dayton is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $8,100/year vs $11,300/year in West Palm Beach. Religious schools run $5,700/year on the low end.

Dayton

$8,100

avg tuition/year

$4,250 below national avg

Lower cost

West Palm Beach

$11,300

avg tuition/year

$1,050 below national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Dayton	West Palm Beach	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$8,100/yr	$11,300/yr	-$3,200
Religious Schools	$5,700/yr	$7,800/yr	-$2,100
Independent/Prep	$18,700/yr	$23,200/yr	-$4,500
Elementary (K-5)	$6,900/yr	$9,600/yr	-$2,700
Middle School (6-8)	$8,100/yr	$11,300/yr	-$3,200
High School (9-12)	$9,700/yr	$13,600/yr	-$3,900

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Dayton

$105,300

West Palm Beach

$146,900

Choosing Dayton saves $41,600 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $83,200.

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

West Palm Beach

Palm Beach Day Academy

Independent · PK–8 · $32,400/yr

Cardinal Newman High School (WPB)

Catholic · 9–12 · $15,200/yr

Full Dayton breakdown → Full West Palm Beach 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.