Is private school cheaper in Lincoln or Philadelphia?

Lincoln has lower average private school tuition at $7,200/year vs $20,200/year in Philadelphia. That's $13,000/year less, or $169,000 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Lincoln is $13,000/year less than Philadelphia. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $169,000 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $5,000/year in Lincoln, $11,400/year in Philadelphia.

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

The national average private school tuition is $12,350/year. Lincoln averages $7,200/year ($5,150 below average). Philadelphia averages $20,200/year ($7,850 above average).

Private School Cost: Lincoln vs Philadelphia

Lincoln averages $13,000/year less for private school (181% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $169,000 per child.

Bottom Line

Lincoln is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $7,200/year vs $20,200/year in Philadelphia. Religious schools run $5,000/year on the low end.

Lincoln

$7,200

avg tuition/year

$5,150 below national avg

Lower cost

Philadelphia

$20,200

avg tuition/year

$7,850 above national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Lincoln	Philadelphia	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$7,200/yr	$20,200/yr	-$13,000
Religious Schools	$5,000/yr	$11,400/yr	-$6,400
Independent/Prep	$15,600/yr	$36,000/yr	-$20,400
Elementary (K-5)	$6,100/yr	$16,500/yr	-$10,400
Middle School (6-8)	$7,200/yr	$20,200/yr	-$13,000
High School (9-12)	$8,600/yr	$25,000/yr	-$16,400

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Lincoln

$93,600

Philadelphia

$262,600

Choosing Lincoln saves $169,000 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $338,000.

Sample Schools

Lincoln

Lincoln Christian High School

Christian · K–12 · $9,600-$11,800/yr

Pius X High School (Lincoln)

Catholic · 9–12 · $8,800/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 Lincoln breakdown → Full Philadelphia breakdown →

Nebraska 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.