Is private school cheaper in Philadelphia or Sunnyvale?

Philadelphia has lower average private school tuition at $20,200/year vs $21,600/year in Sunnyvale. That's $1,400/year less, or $18,200 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Philadelphia is $1,400/year less than Sunnyvale. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $18,200 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $11,400/year in Philadelphia, $14,100/year in Sunnyvale.

How do Philadelphia and Sunnyvale 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). Sunnyvale averages $21,600/year ($9,250 above average).

Private School Cost: Philadelphia vs Sunnyvale

Philadelphia averages $1,400/year less for private school (7% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $18,200 per child.

Bottom Line

Philadelphia is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $20,200/year vs $21,600/year in Sunnyvale. Religious schools run $11,400/year on the low end.

Philadelphia

$20,200

avg tuition/year

$7,850 above national avg

Lower cost

Sunnyvale

$21,600

avg tuition/year

$9,250 above national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Philadelphia	Sunnyvale	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$20,200/yr	$21,600/yr	-$1,400
Religious Schools	$11,400/yr	$14,100/yr	-$2,700
Independent/Prep	$36,000/yr	$42,100/yr	-$6,100
Elementary (K-5)	$16,500/yr	$18,400/yr	-$1,900
Middle School (6-8)	$20,200/yr	$21,600/yr	-$1,400
High School (9-12)	$25,000/yr	$25,900/yr	-$900

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Philadelphia

$262,600

Sunnyvale

$280,800

Choosing Philadelphia saves $18,200 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $36,400.

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

Sunnyvale

Archbishop Mitty High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $26,800/yr

Stratford School (Sunnyvale)

Independent · PK–8 · $24,200-$27,600/yr

Full Philadelphia breakdown → Full Sunnyvale 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.