Is private school cheaper in Lakewood or Tampa?

Tampa has lower average private school tuition at $12,500/year vs $13,400/year in Lakewood. That's $900/year less, or $11,700 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Tampa is $900/year less than Lakewood. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $11,700 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $8,700/year in Lakewood, $8,200/year in Tampa.

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

The national average private school tuition is $12,350/year. Lakewood averages $13,400/year ($1,050 above average). Tampa averages $12,500/year ($150 above average).

Private School Cost: Lakewood vs Tampa

Tampa averages $900/year less for private school (7% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $11,700 per child.

Bottom Line

Tampa is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $12,500/year vs $13,400/year in Lakewood. Religious schools run $8,200/year on the low end.

Lakewood

$13,400

avg tuition/year

$1,050 above national avg

Tampa

$12,500

avg tuition/year

$150 above national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Lakewood	Tampa	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$13,400/yr	$12,500/yr	+$900
Religious Schools	$8,700/yr	$8,200/yr	+$500
Independent/Prep	$26,500/yr	$23,500/yr	+$3,000
Elementary (K-5)	$11,400/yr	$10,200/yr	+$1,200
Middle School (6-8)	$13,400/yr	$12,500/yr	+$900
High School (9-12)	$16,100/yr	$15,500/yr	+$600

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Lakewood

$174,200

Tampa

$162,500

Choosing Tampa saves $11,700 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $23,400.

Sample Schools

Lakewood

Colorado Academy (Lakewood area)

Independent · PK–12 · $22,400/yr

Chatfield Christian Academy

Christian · K–12 · $9,800-$12,200/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 Lakewood breakdown → Full Tampa breakdown →

Colorado private school costs 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.