Is private school cheaper in Fort Lauderdale or San Diego?

Fort Lauderdale has lower average private school tuition at $11,700/year vs $21,200/year in San Diego. That's $9,500/year less, or $123,500 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Fort Lauderdale is $9,500/year less than San Diego. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $123,500 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $8,100/year in Fort Lauderdale, $11,500/year in San Diego.

How do Fort Lauderdale and San Diego 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). San Diego averages $21,200/year ($8,850 above average).

Private School Cost: Fort Lauderdale vs San Diego

Fort Lauderdale averages $9,500/year less for private school (81% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $123,500 per child.

Bottom Line

Fort Lauderdale is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $11,700/year vs $21,200/year in San Diego. Religious schools run $8,100/year on the low end.

Fort Lauderdale

$11,700

avg tuition/year

$650 below national avg

Lower cost

San Diego

$21,200

avg tuition/year

$8,850 above national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Fort Lauderdale	San Diego	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$11,700/yr	$21,200/yr	-$9,500
Religious Schools	$8,100/yr	$11,500/yr	-$3,400
Independent/Prep	$24,100/yr	$36,500/yr	-$12,400
Elementary (K-5)	$9,900/yr	$17,500/yr	-$7,600
Middle School (6-8)	$11,700/yr	$21,200/yr	-$9,500
High School (9-12)	$14,000/yr	$26,000/yr	-$12,000

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Fort Lauderdale

$152,100

San Diego

$275,600

Choosing Fort Lauderdale saves $123,500 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $247,000.

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

San Diego

Bishop's School

Independent · 7–12 · $43,200/yr

La Jolla Country Day School

Independent · PK–12 · $38,800-$41,200/yr

Francis Parker School

Independent · K–12 · $36,400-$38,800/yr

Cathedral Catholic High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $19,800/yr

Full Fort Lauderdale breakdown → Full San Diego breakdown →

Florida private school costs California 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.