Is private school cheaper in Fresno or Philadelphia?

Fresno has lower average private school tuition at $10,500/year vs $20,200/year in Philadelphia. That's $9,700/year less, or $126,100 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Fresno is $9,700/year less than Philadelphia. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $126,100 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $7,000/year in Fresno, $11,400/year in Philadelphia.

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

The national average private school tuition is $12,350/year. Fresno averages $10,500/year ($1,850 below average). Philadelphia averages $20,200/year ($7,850 above average).

Private School Cost: Fresno vs Philadelphia

Fresno averages $9,700/year less for private school (92% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $126,100 per child.

Bottom Line

Fresno is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $10,500/year vs $20,200/year in Philadelphia. Religious schools run $7,000/year on the low end.

Fresno

$10,500

avg tuition/year

$1,850 below national avg

Lower cost

Philadelphia

$20,200

avg tuition/year

$7,850 above national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Fresno	Philadelphia	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$10,500/yr	$20,200/yr	-$9,700
Religious Schools	$7,000/yr	$11,400/yr	-$4,400
Independent/Prep	$19,500/yr	$36,000/yr	-$16,500
Elementary (K-5)	$8,600/yr	$16,500/yr	-$7,900
Middle School (6-8)	$10,500/yr	$20,200/yr	-$9,700
High School (9-12)	$12,900/yr	$25,000/yr	-$12,100

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Fresno

$136,500

Philadelphia

$262,600

Choosing Fresno saves $126,100 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $252,200.

Sample Schools

Fresno

Clovis Christian Schools

Christian · K–12 · $9,200-$10,800/yr

Central High School (Fresno) (Catholic)

Catholic · 9–12 · $12,800/yr

Bullard Talent School

Magnet (Free) · K–8

Fresno Christian Schools

Christian · K–12 · $9,800-$11,400/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 Fresno breakdown → Full Philadelphia breakdown →

California 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.