PrivateSchoolCost

Private School Cost: Miami vs Tacoma

Tacoma averages $4,900/year less for private school (36% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $63,700 per child.

Bottom Line

Tacoma is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $13,700/year vs $18,600/year in Miami. Religious schools run $9,400/year on the low end.

Miami

FL

$18,600

avg tuition/year

$6,250 above national avg

Tacoma

WA

$13,700

avg tuition/year

$1,350 above national avg
Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category Miami Tacoma Difference
All Schools (Average) $18,600/yr $13,700/yr +$4,900
Religious Schools $10,800/yr $9,400/yr +$1,400
Independent/Prep $34,000/yr $29,400/yr +$4,600
Elementary (K-5) $15,500/yr $11,600/yr +$3,900
Middle School (6-8) $18,600/yr $13,700/yr +$4,900
High School (9-12) $23,200/yr $16,400/yr +$6,800

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Miami

$241,800

Tacoma

$178,100

Choosing Tacoma saves $63,700 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $127,400.

Sample Schools

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

Tacoma

Charles Wright Academy

Independent · PK–12 · $28,400/yr

Bellarmine Preparatory School

Catholic · 9–12 · $18,400/yr

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.