Is private school cheaper in Minneapolis or Philadelphia?

Minneapolis has lower average private school tuition at $15,000/year vs $20,200/year in Philadelphia. That's $5,200/year less, or $67,600 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Minneapolis is $5,200/year less than Philadelphia. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $67,600 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $9,200/year in Minneapolis, $11,400/year in Philadelphia.

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

The national average private school tuition is $12,350/year. Minneapolis averages $15,000/year ($2,650 above average). Philadelphia averages $20,200/year ($7,850 above average).

Private School Cost: Minneapolis vs Philadelphia

Minneapolis averages $5,200/year less for private school (35% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $67,600 per child.

Bottom Line

Minneapolis is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $15,000/year vs $20,200/year in Philadelphia. Religious schools run $9,200/year on the low end.

Minneapolis

$15,000

avg tuition/year

$2,650 above national avg

Lower cost

Philadelphia

$20,200

avg tuition/year

$7,850 above national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Minneapolis	Philadelphia	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$15,000/yr	$20,200/yr	-$5,200
Religious Schools	$9,200/yr	$11,400/yr	-$2,200
Independent/Prep	$27,500/yr	$36,000/yr	-$8,500
Elementary (K-5)	$12,200/yr	$16,500/yr	-$4,300
Middle School (6-8)	$15,000/yr	$20,200/yr	-$5,200
High School (9-12)	$18,500/yr	$25,000/yr	-$6,500

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Minneapolis

$195,000

Philadelphia

$262,600

Choosing Minneapolis saves $67,600 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $135,200.

Sample Schools

Minneapolis

Blake School

Independent · PK–12 · $34,800-$37,200/yr

Breck School

Independent · PK–12 · $28,400/yr

Minnehaha Academy

Christian · PK–12 · $16,200-$17,800/yr

De La Salle High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $15,800/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 Minneapolis breakdown → Full Philadelphia breakdown →

Minnesota private school costs Pennsylvania private school costs

Related Comparisons

New York vs Philadelphia → Minneapolis vs Columbus → 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.