Is private school cheaper in Philadelphia or Portland?

Portland has lower average private school tuition at $18,200/year vs $20,200/year in Philadelphia. That's $2,000/year less, or $26,000 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Portland is $2,000/year less than Philadelphia. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $26,000 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $11,400/year in Philadelphia, $10,400/year in Portland.

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

The national average private school tuition is $12,350/year. Philadelphia averages $20,200/year ($7,850 above average). Portland averages $18,200/year ($5,850 above average).

Private School Cost: Philadelphia vs Portland

Portland averages $2,000/year less for private school (11% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $26,000 per child.

Bottom Line

Portland is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $18,200/year vs $20,200/year in Philadelphia. Religious schools run $10,400/year on the low end.

Philadelphia

$20,200

avg tuition/year

$7,850 above national avg

Portland

$18,200

avg tuition/year

$5,850 above national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Philadelphia	Portland	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$20,200/yr	$18,200/yr	+$2,000
Religious Schools	$11,400/yr	$10,400/yr	+$1,000
Independent/Prep	$36,000/yr	$31,500/yr	+$4,500
Elementary (K-5)	$16,500/yr	$14,800/yr	+$1,700
Middle School (6-8)	$20,200/yr	$18,200/yr	+$2,000
High School (9-12)	$25,000/yr	$22,500/yr	+$2,500

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Philadelphia

$262,600

Portland

$236,600

Choosing Portland saves $26,000 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $52,000.

Sample Schools

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

Portland

Catlin Gabel School

Independent · PK–12 · $38,400-$41,200/yr

Oregon Episcopal School

Independent · PK–12 · $34,800/yr

Jesuit High School (Portland)

Catholic · 9–12 · $19,200/yr

Central Catholic High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $14,800/yr

Full Philadelphia breakdown → Full Portland breakdown →

Pennsylvania private school costs Oregon private school costs

Related Comparisons

New York vs Philadelphia → Seattle vs Portland → 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.