Is private school cheaper in Fort Lauderdale or Lakewood?

Fort Lauderdale has lower average private school tuition at $11,700/year vs $13,400/year in Lakewood. That's $1,700/year less, or $22,100 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Fort Lauderdale is $1,700/year less than Lakewood. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $22,100 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $8,100/year in Fort Lauderdale, $8,700/year in Lakewood.

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

The national average private school tuition is $12,350/year. Fort Lauderdale averages $11,700/year ($650 below average). Lakewood averages $13,400/year ($1,050 above average).

Private School Cost: Fort Lauderdale vs Lakewood

Fort Lauderdale averages $1,700/year less for private school (15% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $22,100 per child.

Bottom Line

Fort Lauderdale is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $11,700/year vs $13,400/year in Lakewood. Religious schools run $8,100/year on the low end.

Fort Lauderdale

$11,700

avg tuition/year

$650 below national avg

Lower cost

Lakewood

$13,400

avg tuition/year

$1,050 above national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Fort Lauderdale	Lakewood	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$11,700/yr	$13,400/yr	-$1,700
Religious Schools	$8,100/yr	$8,700/yr	-$600
Independent/Prep	$24,100/yr	$26,500/yr	-$2,400
Elementary (K-5)	$9,900/yr	$11,400/yr	-$1,500
Middle School (6-8)	$11,700/yr	$13,400/yr	-$1,700
High School (9-12)	$14,000/yr	$16,100/yr	-$2,100

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Fort Lauderdale

$152,100

Lakewood

$174,200

Choosing Fort Lauderdale saves $22,100 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $44,200.

Sample Schools

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

Lakewood

Colorado Academy (Lakewood area)

Independent · PK–12 · $22,400/yr

Chatfield Christian Academy

Christian · K–12 · $9,800-$12,200/yr

Full Fort Lauderdale breakdown → Full Lakewood breakdown →

Florida private school costs Colorado 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.