Is private school cheaper in Hartford or Philadelphia?

Philadelphia has lower average private school tuition at $20,200/year vs $28,000/year in Hartford. That's $7,800/year less, or $101,400 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Philadelphia is $7,800/year less than Hartford. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $101,400 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $15,800/year in Hartford, $11,400/year in Philadelphia.

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

The national average private school tuition is $12,350/year. Hartford averages $28,000/year ($15,650 above average). Philadelphia averages $20,200/year ($7,850 above average).

Private School Cost: Hartford vs Philadelphia

Philadelphia averages $7,800/year less for private school (39% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $101,400 per child.

Bottom Line

Philadelphia is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $20,200/year vs $28,000/year in Hartford. Religious schools run $11,400/year on the low end.

Hartford

$28,000

avg tuition/year

$15,650 above national avg

Philadelphia

$20,200

avg tuition/year

$7,850 above national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Hartford	Philadelphia	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$28,000/yr	$20,200/yr	+$7,800
Religious Schools	$15,800/yr	$11,400/yr	+$4,400
Independent/Prep	$44,500/yr	$36,000/yr	+$8,500
Elementary (K-5)	$22,800/yr	$16,500/yr	+$6,300
Middle School (6-8)	$28,000/yr	$20,200/yr	+$7,800
High School (9-12)	$35,000/yr	$25,000/yr	+$10,000

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Hartford

$364,000

Philadelphia

$262,600

Choosing Philadelphia saves $101,400 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $202,800.

Sample Schools

Hartford

Kingswood Oxford School

Independent · 6–12 · $44,800-$47,200/yr

Loomis Chaffee School

Independent (Day) · 9–12 · $48,200/yr

Watkinson School

Independent · 6–12 · $36,800/yr

Northwest Catholic High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $17,800/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 Hartford breakdown → Full Philadelphia breakdown →

Connecticut 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.