Private School Cost: Philadelphia vs San Antonio
San Antonio averages $9,000/year less for private school (80% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $117,000 per child.
Bottom Line
San Antonio is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $11,200/year vs $20,200/year in Philadelphia. Religious schools run $7,600/year on the low end.
Philadelphia
PA
$20,200
avg tuition/year
San Antonio
TX
$11,200
avg tuition/year
Tuition by School Type & Grade
| Category | Philadelphia | San Antonio | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| All Schools (Average) | $20,200/yr | $11,200/yr | +$9,000 |
| Religious Schools | $11,400/yr | $7,600/yr | +$3,800 |
| Independent/Prep | $36,000/yr | $21,000/yr | +$15,000 |
| Elementary (K-5) | $16,500/yr | $9,200/yr | +$7,300 |
| Middle School (6-8) | $20,200/yr | $11,200/yr | +$9,000 |
| High School (9-12) | $25,000/yr | $13,800/yr | +$11,200 |
K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)
Philadelphia
$262,600
San Antonio
$145,600
Choosing San Antonio saves $117,000 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $234,000.
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
San Antonio
Keystone School (San Antonio)
Independent · PK–12 · $21,200-$23,600/yr
Central Catholic High School (San Antonio)
Catholic · 9–12 · $13,800/yr
Providence Catholic School
Catholic · K–8 · $8,200-$9,800/yr
Antonian College Preparatory
Catholic · 9–12 · $12,400/yr
Related Comparisons
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.