Is private school cheaper in Fort Lauderdale or Philadelphia?

Fort Lauderdale has lower average private school tuition at $11,700/year vs $20,200/year in Philadelphia. That's $8,500/year less, or $110,500 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Fort Lauderdale is $8,500/year less than Philadelphia. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $110,500 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $8,100/year in Fort Lauderdale, $11,400/year in Philadelphia.

How do Fort Lauderdale and Philadelphia 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). Philadelphia averages $20,200/year ($7,850 above average).

Private School Cost: Fort Lauderdale vs Philadelphia

Fort Lauderdale averages $8,500/year less for private school (73% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $110,500 per child.

Bottom Line

Fort Lauderdale is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $11,700/year vs $20,200/year in Philadelphia. Religious schools run $8,100/year on the low end.

Fort Lauderdale

$11,700

avg tuition/year

$650 below national avg

Lower cost

Philadelphia

$20,200

avg tuition/year

$7,850 above national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Fort Lauderdale	Philadelphia	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$11,700/yr	$20,200/yr	-$8,500
Religious Schools	$8,100/yr	$11,400/yr	-$3,300
Independent/Prep	$24,100/yr	$36,000/yr	-$11,900
Elementary (K-5)	$9,900/yr	$16,500/yr	-$6,600
Middle School (6-8)	$11,700/yr	$20,200/yr	-$8,500
High School (9-12)	$14,000/yr	$25,000/yr	-$11,000

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Fort Lauderdale

$152,100

Philadelphia

$262,600

Choosing Fort Lauderdale saves $110,500 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $221,000.

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

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 Fort Lauderdale breakdown → Full Philadelphia breakdown →

Florida private school costs Pennsylvania private school costs

Related Comparisons

New York vs Philadelphia → Boston vs Philadelphia →

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.