Private School Cost: Philadelphia vs West Palm Beach
West Palm Beach averages $8,900/year less for private school (79% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $115,700 per child.
Bottom Line
West Palm Beach is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $11,300/year vs $20,200/year in Philadelphia. Religious schools run $7,800/year on the low end.
Philadelphia
PA
$20,200
avg tuition/year
West Palm Beach
FL
$11,300
avg tuition/year
Tuition by School Type & Grade
| Category | Philadelphia | West Palm Beach | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| All Schools (Average) | $20,200/yr | $11,300/yr | +$8,900 |
| Religious Schools | $11,400/yr | $7,800/yr | +$3,600 |
| Independent/Prep | $36,000/yr | $23,200/yr | +$12,800 |
| Elementary (K-5) | $16,500/yr | $9,600/yr | +$6,900 |
| Middle School (6-8) | $20,200/yr | $11,300/yr | +$8,900 |
| High School (9-12) | $25,000/yr | $13,600/yr | +$11,400 |
K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)
Philadelphia
$262,600
West Palm Beach
$146,900
Choosing West Palm Beach saves $115,700 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $231,400.
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
West Palm Beach
Palm Beach Day Academy
Independent · PK–8 · $32,400/yr
Cardinal Newman High School (WPB)
Catholic · 9–12 · $15,200/yr
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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.