Is private school cheaper in Frederick or Philadelphia?

Frederick has lower average private school tuition at $16,700/year vs $20,200/year in Philadelphia. That's $3,500/year less, or $45,500 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Frederick is $3,500/year less than Philadelphia. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $45,500 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $11,300/year in Frederick, $11,400/year in Philadelphia.

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

The national average private school tuition is $12,350/year. Frederick averages $16,700/year ($4,350 above average). Philadelphia averages $20,200/year ($7,850 above average).

Private School Cost: Frederick vs Philadelphia

Frederick averages $3,500/year less for private school (21% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $45,500 per child.

Bottom Line

Frederick is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $16,700/year vs $20,200/year in Philadelphia. Religious schools run $11,300/year on the low end.

Frederick

$16,700

avg tuition/year

$4,350 above national avg

Lower cost

Philadelphia

$20,200

avg tuition/year

$7,850 above national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Frederick	Philadelphia	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$16,700/yr	$20,200/yr	-$3,500
Religious Schools	$11,300/yr	$11,400/yr	-$100
Independent/Prep	$35,100/yr	$36,000/yr	-$900
Elementary (K-5)	$14,200/yr	$16,500/yr	-$2,300
Middle School (6-8)	$16,700/yr	$20,200/yr	-$3,500
High School (9-12)	$20,000/yr	$25,000/yr	-$5,000

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Frederick

$217,100

Philadelphia

$262,600

Choosing Frederick saves $45,500 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $91,000.

Sample Schools

Frederick

Frederick Classical Charter School (Private Prep)

Independent · K–12 · $11,200/yr

Visitation Academy (Frederick MD)

Catholic · PK–8 · $12,400/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 Frederick breakdown → Full Philadelphia breakdown →

Maryland 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.