Is private school cheaper in Philadelphia or Reno?

Reno has lower average private school tuition at $11,800/year vs $20,200/year in Philadelphia. That's $8,400/year less, or $109,200 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Reno is $8,400/year less than Philadelphia. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $109,200 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $11,400/year in Philadelphia, $8,200/year in Reno.

How do Philadelphia and Reno 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). Reno averages $11,800/year ($550 below average).

Private School Cost: Philadelphia vs Reno

Reno averages $8,400/year less for private school (71% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $109,200 per child.

Bottom Line

Reno is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $11,800/year vs $20,200/year in Philadelphia. Religious schools run $8,200/year on the low end.

Philadelphia

$20,200

avg tuition/year

$7,850 above national avg

Reno

$11,800

avg tuition/year

$550 below national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Philadelphia	Reno	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$20,200/yr	$11,800/yr	+$8,400
Religious Schools	$11,400/yr	$8,200/yr	+$3,200
Independent/Prep	$36,000/yr	$23,600/yr	+$12,400
Elementary (K-5)	$16,500/yr	$10,000/yr	+$6,500
Middle School (6-8)	$20,200/yr	$11,800/yr	+$8,400
High School (9-12)	$25,000/yr	$14,200/yr	+$10,800

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Philadelphia

$262,600

Reno

$153,400

Choosing Reno saves $109,200 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $218,400.

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

Reno

The Sage Ridge School

Independent · 5–12 · $22,400/yr

Archbishop Borders School (Reno)

Catholic · K–8 · $10,800/yr

Full Philadelphia breakdown → Full Reno breakdown →

Pennsylvania private school costs Nevada private school costs

Related Comparisons

New York vs Philadelphia → 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.