Is private school cheaper in Philadelphia or Virginia Beach?

Virginia Beach has lower average private school tuition at $13,200/year vs $20,200/year in Philadelphia. That's $7,000/year less, or $91,000 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Virginia Beach is $7,000/year less than Philadelphia. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $91,000 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $11,400/year in Philadelphia, $8,600/year in Virginia Beach.

How do Philadelphia and Virginia Beach 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). Virginia Beach averages $13,200/year ($850 above average).

Private School Cost: Philadelphia vs Virginia Beach

Virginia Beach averages $7,000/year less for private school (53% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $91,000 per child.

Bottom Line

Virginia Beach is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $13,200/year vs $20,200/year in Philadelphia. Religious schools run $8,600/year on the low end.

Philadelphia

$20,200

avg tuition/year

$7,850 above national avg

Virginia Beach

$13,200

avg tuition/year

$850 above national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Philadelphia	Virginia Beach	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$20,200/yr	$13,200/yr	+$7,000
Religious Schools	$11,400/yr	$8,600/yr	+$2,800
Independent/Prep	$36,000/yr	$24,500/yr	+$11,500
Elementary (K-5)	$16,500/yr	$10,800/yr	+$5,700
Middle School (6-8)	$20,200/yr	$13,200/yr	+$7,000
High School (9-12)	$25,000/yr	$16,200/yr	+$8,800

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Philadelphia

$262,600

Virginia Beach

$171,600

Choosing Virginia Beach saves $91,000 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $182,000.

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

Virginia Beach

Norfolk Academy

Independent · 1–12 · $24,800-$27,200/yr

Cape Henry Collegiate School

Independent · PK–12 · $22,400-$24,800/yr

Bishop Sullivan Catholic High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $13,800/yr

Kellam High School (Public)

Public (Reference) · 9–12

Full Philadelphia breakdown → Full Virginia Beach breakdown →

Pennsylvania private school costs Virginia 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.