Private School Cost: Lakeland vs Miami
Lakeland averages $9,000/year less for private school (94% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $117,000 per child.
Bottom Line
Lakeland is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $9,600/year vs $18,600/year in Miami. Religious schools run $6,600/year on the low end.
Lakeland
FL
$9,600
avg tuition/year
Miami
FL
$18,600
avg tuition/year
Tuition by School Type & Grade
| Category | Lakeland | Miami | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| All Schools (Average) | $9,600/yr | $18,600/yr | -$9,000 |
| Religious Schools | $6,600/yr | $10,800/yr | -$4,200 |
| Independent/Prep | $19,800/yr | $34,000/yr | -$14,200 |
| Elementary (K-5) | $8,200/yr | $15,500/yr | -$7,300 |
| Middle School (6-8) | $9,600/yr | $18,600/yr | -$9,000 |
| High School (9-12) | $11,500/yr | $23,200/yr | -$11,700 |
K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)
Lakeland
$124,800
Miami
$241,800
Choosing Lakeland saves $117,000 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $234,000.
Sample Schools
Lakeland
All Saints Academy (Lakeland)
Catholic · PK–12 · $13,800/yr
Victory Christian School (Lakeland)
Christian · K–12 · $9,400-$11,800/yr
Miami
Ransom Everglades School
Independent · 6–12 · $42,800-$45,200/yr
Palmer Trinity School
Independent · 6–12 · $38,600/yr
Christopher Columbus High School
Catholic · 9–12 · $16,200/yr
Belen Jesuit Preparatory School
Catholic · 6–12 · $15,900/yr
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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.