Is private school cheaper in Des Moines or Philadelphia?

Des Moines has lower average private school tuition at $6,900/year vs $20,200/year in Philadelphia. That's $13,300/year less, or $172,900 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Des Moines is $13,300/year less than Philadelphia. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $172,900 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $4,800/year in Des Moines, $11,400/year in Philadelphia.

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

The national average private school tuition is $12,350/year. Des Moines averages $6,900/year ($5,450 below average). Philadelphia averages $20,200/year ($7,850 above average).

Private School Cost: Des Moines vs Philadelphia

Des Moines averages $13,300/year less for private school (193% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $172,900 per child.

Bottom Line

Des Moines is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $6,900/year vs $20,200/year in Philadelphia. Religious schools run $4,800/year on the low end.

Des Moines

$6,900

avg tuition/year

$5,450 below national avg

Lower cost

Philadelphia

$20,200

avg tuition/year

$7,850 above national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Des Moines	Philadelphia	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$6,900/yr	$20,200/yr	-$13,300
Religious Schools	$4,800/yr	$11,400/yr	-$6,600
Independent/Prep	$14,400/yr	$36,000/yr	-$21,600
Elementary (K-5)	$5,900/yr	$16,500/yr	-$10,600
Middle School (6-8)	$6,900/yr	$20,200/yr	-$13,300
High School (9-12)	$8,300/yr	$25,000/yr	-$16,700

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Des Moines

$89,700

Philadelphia

$262,600

Choosing Des Moines saves $172,900 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $345,800.

Sample Schools

Des Moines

Dowling Catholic High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $10,400/yr

Des Moines Christian School

Christian · PK–12 · $9,600-$12,000/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 Des Moines breakdown → Full Philadelphia breakdown →

Iowa private school costs Pennsylvania private school costs

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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.