Is private school cheaper in Philadelphia or Washington DC?

Philadelphia has lower average private school tuition at $20,200/year vs $28,400/year in Washington DC. That's $8,200/year less, or $106,600 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Philadelphia is $8,200/year less than Washington DC. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $106,600 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $11,400/year in Philadelphia, $15,200/year in Washington DC.

How do Philadelphia and Washington DC 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). Washington DC averages $28,400/year ($16,050 above average).

Private School Cost: Philadelphia vs Washington DC

Philadelphia averages $8,200/year less for private school (41% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $106,600 per child.

Bottom Line

Philadelphia is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $20,200/year vs $28,400/year in Washington DC. Religious schools run $11,400/year on the low end.

Philadelphia

$20,200

avg tuition/year

$7,850 above national avg

Lower cost

Washington DC

$28,400

avg tuition/year

$16,050 above national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Philadelphia	Washington DC	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$20,200/yr	$28,400/yr	-$8,200
Religious Schools	$11,400/yr	$15,200/yr	-$3,800
Independent/Prep	$36,000/yr	$46,000/yr	-$10,000
Elementary (K-5)	$16,500/yr	$23,000/yr	-$6,500
Middle School (6-8)	$20,200/yr	$28,400/yr	-$8,200
High School (9-12)	$25,000/yr	$35,500/yr	-$10,500

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Philadelphia

$262,600

Washington DC

$369,200

Choosing Philadelphia saves $106,600 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $213,200.

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

Washington DC

Sidwell Friends School

Independent (Quaker) · PK–12 · $52,900/yr

Georgetown Day School

Independent · PK–12 · $51,400/yr

National Cathedral School

Independent · 4–12 · $50,200/yr

Gonzaga College High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $25,400/yr

Full Philadelphia breakdown → Full Washington DC breakdown →

Pennsylvania private school costs District of Columbia private school costs

Related Comparisons

New York vs Philadelphia → Washington DC vs Atlanta → 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.