Is private school cheaper in Peoria or Philadelphia?

Peoria has lower average private school tuition at $9,700/year vs $20,200/year in Philadelphia. That's $10,500/year less, or $136,500 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Peoria is $10,500/year less than Philadelphia. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $136,500 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $7,300/year in Peoria, $11,400/year in Philadelphia.

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

The national average private school tuition is $12,350/year. Peoria averages $9,700/year ($2,650 below average). Philadelphia averages $20,200/year ($7,850 above average).

Private School Cost: Peoria vs Philadelphia

Peoria averages $10,500/year less for private school (108% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $136,500 per child.

Bottom Line

Peoria is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $9,700/year vs $20,200/year in Philadelphia. Religious schools run $7,300/year on the low end.

Peoria

$9,700

avg tuition/year

$2,650 below national avg

Lower cost

Philadelphia

$20,200

avg tuition/year

$7,850 above national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Peoria	Philadelphia	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$9,700/yr	$20,200/yr	-$10,500
Religious Schools	$7,300/yr	$11,400/yr	-$4,100
Independent/Prep	$18,500/yr	$36,000/yr	-$17,500
Elementary (K-5)	$8,200/yr	$16,500/yr	-$8,300
Middle School (6-8)	$9,700/yr	$20,200/yr	-$10,500
High School (9-12)	$11,600/yr	$25,000/yr	-$13,400

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Peoria

$126,100

Philadelphia

$262,600

Choosing Peoria saves $136,500 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $273,000.

Sample Schools

Peoria

Sandra Day O'Connor Prep (Peoria)

Independent · 9–12 · $10,400/yr

Deer Valley Christian Academy

Christian · K–12 · $8,800-$10,800/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 Peoria breakdown → Full Philadelphia breakdown →

Arizona private school costs Pennsylvania private school costs

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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.