Is private school cheaper in Philadelphia or Sacramento?

Sacramento has lower average private school tuition at $16,000/year vs $20,200/year in Philadelphia. That's $4,200/year less, or $54,600 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Sacramento is $4,200/year less than Philadelphia. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $54,600 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $11,400/year in Philadelphia, $9,800/year in Sacramento.

How do Philadelphia and Sacramento 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). Sacramento averages $16,000/year ($3,650 above average).

Private School Cost: Philadelphia vs Sacramento

Sacramento averages $4,200/year less for private school (26% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $54,600 per child.

Bottom Line

Sacramento is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $16,000/year vs $20,200/year in Philadelphia. Religious schools run $9,800/year on the low end.

Philadelphia

$20,200

avg tuition/year

$7,850 above national avg

Sacramento

$16,000

avg tuition/year

$3,650 above national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Philadelphia	Sacramento	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$20,200/yr	$16,000/yr	+$4,200
Religious Schools	$11,400/yr	$9,800/yr	+$1,600
Independent/Prep	$36,000/yr	$28,500/yr	+$7,500
Elementary (K-5)	$16,500/yr	$13,000/yr	+$3,500
Middle School (6-8)	$20,200/yr	$16,000/yr	+$4,200
High School (9-12)	$25,000/yr	$19,800/yr	+$5,200

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Philadelphia

$262,600

Sacramento

$208,000

Choosing Sacramento saves $54,600 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $109,200.

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

Sacramento

Sacramento Country Day School

Independent · PK–12 · $29,800-$32,400/yr

Christian Brothers High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $18,800/yr

Jesuit High School (Sacramento)

Catholic · 9–12 · $19,400/yr

St. Francis High School (Sacramento)

Catholic · 9–12 · $17,200/yr

Full Philadelphia breakdown → Full Sacramento 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.