Private School Cost: Pasadena vs Philadelphia
Pasadena averages $9,000/year less for private school (80% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $117,000 per child.
Bottom Line
Pasadena is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $11,200/year vs $20,200/year in Philadelphia. Religious schools run $7,600/year on the low end.
Pasadena
TX
$11,200
avg tuition/year
Philadelphia
PA
$20,200
avg tuition/year
Tuition by School Type & Grade
| Category | Pasadena | Philadelphia | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| All Schools (Average) | $11,200/yr | $20,200/yr | -$9,000 |
| Religious Schools | $7,600/yr | $11,400/yr | -$3,800 |
| Independent/Prep | $23,700/yr | $36,000/yr | -$12,300 |
| Elementary (K-5) | $9,500/yr | $16,500/yr | -$7,000 |
| Middle School (6-8) | $11,200/yr | $20,200/yr | -$9,000 |
| High School (9-12) | $13,400/yr | $25,000/yr | -$11,600 |
K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)
Pasadena
$145,600
Philadelphia
$262,600
Choosing Pasadena saves $117,000 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $234,000.
Sample Schools
Pasadena
San Jacinto Christian Academy
Christian · K–12 · $8,400-$10,200/yr
Blessed Sacrament School (Pasadena)
Catholic · K–8 · $7,800-$9,400/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
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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.