Is private school cheaper in Philadelphia or Tampa?

Tampa has lower average private school tuition at $12,500/year vs $20,200/year in Philadelphia. That's $7,700/year less, or $100,100 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Tampa is $7,700/year less than Philadelphia. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $100,100 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $11,400/year in Philadelphia, $8,200/year in Tampa.

How do Philadelphia and Tampa 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). Tampa averages $12,500/year ($150 above average).

Private School Cost: Philadelphia vs Tampa

Tampa averages $7,700/year less for private school (62% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $100,100 per child.

Bottom Line

Tampa is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $12,500/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

Tampa

$12,500

avg tuition/year

$150 above national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Philadelphia	Tampa	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$20,200/yr	$12,500/yr	+$7,700
Religious Schools	$11,400/yr	$8,200/yr	+$3,200
Independent/Prep	$36,000/yr	$23,500/yr	+$12,500
Elementary (K-5)	$16,500/yr	$10,200/yr	+$6,300
Middle School (6-8)	$20,200/yr	$12,500/yr	+$7,700
High School (9-12)	$25,000/yr	$15,500/yr	+$9,500

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Philadelphia

$262,600

Tampa

$162,500

Choosing Tampa saves $100,100 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $200,200.

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

Tampa

Academy at the Lakes

Independent · PK–12 · $23,800-$26,200/yr

Jesuit High School (Tampa)

Catholic · 9–12 · $16,800/yr

Berkeley Preparatory School

Independent · PK–12 · $27,200-$29,800/yr

Tampa Prep

Independent · 6–12 · $22,400-$24,200/yr

Full Philadelphia breakdown → Full Tampa breakdown →

Pennsylvania private school costs Florida private school costs

Related Comparisons

New York vs Philadelphia → Miami vs Tampa → Tampa vs Orlando → 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.