Is private school cheaper in Palm Bay or Tampa?

Palm Bay has lower average private school tuition at $9,400/year vs $12,500/year in Tampa. That's $3,100/year less, or $40,300 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Palm Bay is $3,100/year less than Tampa. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $40,300 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $6,500/year in Palm Bay, $8,200/year in Tampa.

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

The national average private school tuition is $12,350/year. Palm Bay averages $9,400/year ($2,950 below average). Tampa averages $12,500/year ($150 above average).

Private School Cost: Palm Bay vs Tampa

Palm Bay averages $3,100/year less for private school (33% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $40,300 per child.

Bottom Line

Palm Bay is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $9,400/year vs $12,500/year in Tampa. Religious schools run $6,500/year on the low end.

Palm Bay

$9,400

avg tuition/year

$2,950 below national avg

Lower cost

Tampa

$12,500

avg tuition/year

$150 above national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Palm Bay	Tampa	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$9,400/yr	$12,500/yr	-$3,100
Religious Schools	$6,500/yr	$8,200/yr	-$1,700
Independent/Prep	$19,400/yr	$23,500/yr	-$4,100
Elementary (K-5)	$8,000/yr	$10,200/yr	-$2,200
Middle School (6-8)	$9,400/yr	$12,500/yr	-$3,100
High School (9-12)	$11,300/yr	$15,500/yr	-$4,200

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Palm Bay

$122,200

Tampa

$162,500

Choosing Palm Bay saves $40,300 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $80,600.

Sample Schools

Palm Bay

Our Lady of Grace Academy (Palm Bay)

Christian · K–12 · $8,400-$10,400/yr

Brevard Academy

Independent · K–12 · $9,200-$11,400/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 Palm Bay breakdown → Full Tampa breakdown →

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.