Is private school cheaper in Lakeland or Tampa?

Lakeland has lower average private school tuition at $9,600/year vs $12,500/year in Tampa. That's $2,900/year less, or $37,700 over a K-12 career.

How much can I save on private school by choosing Lakeland over Tampa?

Average tuition in Lakeland is $2,900/year less than Tampa. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $37,700 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $6,600/year in Lakeland, $8,200/year in Tampa.

How do Lakeland and Tampa private school costs compare to the national average?

The national average private school tuition is $12,350/year. Lakeland averages $9,600/year ($2,750 below average). Tampa averages $12,500/year ($150 above average).

Private School Cost: Lakeland vs Tampa

Lakeland averages $2,900/year less for private school (30% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $37,700 per child.

Bottom Line

Lakeland is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $9,600/year vs $12,500/year in Tampa. Religious schools run $6,600/year on the low end.

Lakeland

$9,600

avg tuition/year

$2,750 below national avg

Lower cost

Tampa

$12,500

avg tuition/year

$150 above national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Lakeland	Tampa	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$9,600/yr	$12,500/yr	-$2,900
Religious Schools	$6,600/yr	$8,200/yr	-$1,600
Independent/Prep	$19,800/yr	$23,500/yr	-$3,700
Elementary (K-5)	$8,200/yr	$10,200/yr	-$2,000
Middle School (6-8)	$9,600/yr	$12,500/yr	-$2,900
High School (9-12)	$11,500/yr	$15,500/yr	-$4,000

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Lakeland

$124,800

Tampa

$162,500

Choosing Lakeland saves $37,700 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $75,400.

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

Tampa

Academy at the Lakes

Independent · PK–12 · $23,800-$26,200/yr

Jesuit High School (Tampa)

Catholic · 9–12 · $16,800/yr

Berkeley Preparatory School

Independent · PK–12 · $27,200-$29,800/yr

Tampa Prep

Independent · 6–12 · $22,400-$24,200/yr

Full Lakeland breakdown → Full Tampa breakdown →

Florida private school costs

Related Comparisons

Miami vs Tampa → Tampa vs Orlando →

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.