Is private school cheaper in Philadelphia or Waterbury?

Philadelphia has lower average private school tuition at $20,200/year vs $20,500/year in Waterbury. That's $300/year less, or $3,900 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Philadelphia is $300/year less than Waterbury. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $3,900 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $11,400/year in Philadelphia, $11,300/year in Waterbury.

How do Philadelphia and Waterbury 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). Waterbury averages $20,500/year ($8,150 above average).

Private School Cost: Philadelphia vs Waterbury

Philadelphia averages $300/year less for private school (1% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $3,900 per child.

Bottom Line

Philadelphia is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $20,200/year vs $20,500/year in Waterbury. Religious schools run $11,300/year on the low end.

Philadelphia

$20,200

avg tuition/year

$7,850 above national avg

Lower cost

Waterbury

$20,500

avg tuition/year

$8,150 above national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Philadelphia	Waterbury	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$20,200/yr	$20,500/yr	-$300
Religious Schools	$11,400/yr	$11,300/yr	+$100
Independent/Prep	$36,000/yr	$40,800/yr	-$4,800
Elementary (K-5)	$16,500/yr	$17,400/yr	-$900
Middle School (6-8)	$20,200/yr	$20,500/yr	-$300
High School (9-12)	$25,000/yr	$24,600/yr	+$400

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Philadelphia

$262,600

Waterbury

$266,500

Choosing Philadelphia saves $3,900 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $7,800.

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

Waterbury

Holy Cross High School (Waterbury)

Catholic · 9–12 · $14,800/yr

Crosby High School (Waterbury)

Independent · 9–12 · $9,800/yr

Full Philadelphia breakdown → Full Waterbury breakdown →

Pennsylvania private school costs Connecticut 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.