Is private school cheaper in Philadelphia or Riverside?

Riverside has lower average private school tuition at $14,900/year vs $20,200/year in Philadelphia. That's $5,300/year less, or $68,900 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Riverside is $5,300/year less than Philadelphia. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $68,900 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $11,400/year in Philadelphia, $9,700/year in Riverside.

How do Philadelphia and Riverside 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). Riverside averages $14,900/year ($2,550 above average).

Private School Cost: Philadelphia vs Riverside

Riverside averages $5,300/year less for private school (36% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $68,900 per child.

Bottom Line

Riverside is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $14,900/year vs $20,200/year in Philadelphia. Religious schools run $9,700/year on the low end.

Philadelphia

$20,200

avg tuition/year

$7,850 above national avg

Riverside

$14,900

avg tuition/year

$2,550 above national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Philadelphia	Riverside	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$20,200/yr	$14,900/yr	+$5,300
Religious Schools	$11,400/yr	$9,700/yr	+$1,700
Independent/Prep	$36,000/yr	$29,000/yr	+$7,000
Elementary (K-5)	$16,500/yr	$12,700/yr	+$3,800
Middle School (6-8)	$20,200/yr	$14,900/yr	+$5,300
High School (9-12)	$25,000/yr	$17,900/yr	+$7,100

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Philadelphia

$262,600

Riverside

$193,700

Choosing Riverside saves $68,900 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $137,800.

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

Riverside

Notre Dame High School (Riverside)

Catholic · 9–12 · $17,800/yr

Riverside Christian School

Christian · K–12 · $9,200-$11,400/yr

Full Philadelphia breakdown → Full Riverside breakdown →

Pennsylvania private school costs California 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.