Is private school cheaper in Milwaukee or Philadelphia?

Milwaukee has lower average private school tuition at $11,200/year vs $20,200/year in Philadelphia. That's $9,000/year less, or $117,000 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Milwaukee is $9,000/year less than Philadelphia. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $117,000 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $7,400/year in Milwaukee, $11,400/year in Philadelphia.

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

The national average private school tuition is $12,350/year. Milwaukee averages $11,200/year ($1,150 below average). Philadelphia averages $20,200/year ($7,850 above average).

Private School Cost: Milwaukee vs Philadelphia

Milwaukee averages $9,000/year less for private school (80% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $117,000 per child.

Bottom Line

Milwaukee is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $11,200/year vs $20,200/year in Philadelphia. Religious schools run $7,400/year on the low end.

Milwaukee

$11,200

avg tuition/year

$1,150 below national avg

Lower cost

Philadelphia

$20,200

avg tuition/year

$7,850 above national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Milwaukee	Philadelphia	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$11,200/yr	$20,200/yr	-$9,000
Religious Schools	$7,400/yr	$11,400/yr	-$4,000
Independent/Prep	$21,000/yr	$36,000/yr	-$15,000
Elementary (K-5)	$9,200/yr	$16,500/yr	-$7,300
Middle School (6-8)	$11,200/yr	$20,200/yr	-$9,000
High School (9-12)	$13,800/yr	$25,000/yr	-$11,200

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Milwaukee

$145,600

Philadelphia

$262,600

Choosing Milwaukee saves $117,000 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $234,000.

Sample Schools

Milwaukee

University School of Milwaukee

Independent · PK–12 · $22,800-$25,200/yr

Milwaukee University School

Independent · PK–12 · $21,400/yr

Marquette University High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $14,800/yr

Divine Savior Holy Angels High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $13,200/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 Milwaukee breakdown → Full Philadelphia breakdown →

Wisconsin private school costs Pennsylvania private school costs

Related Comparisons

New York vs Philadelphia → Chicago vs Milwaukee → 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.