Is private school cheaper in Philadelphia or Westminster?

Westminster has lower average private school tuition at $13,100/year vs $20,200/year in Philadelphia. That's $7,100/year less, or $92,300 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Westminster is $7,100/year less than Philadelphia. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $92,300 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $11,400/year in Philadelphia, $8,500/year in Westminster.

How do Philadelphia and Westminster 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). Westminster averages $13,100/year ($750 above average).

Private School Cost: Philadelphia vs Westminster

Westminster averages $7,100/year less for private school (54% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $92,300 per child.

Bottom Line

Westminster is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $13,100/year vs $20,200/year in Philadelphia. Religious schools run $8,500/year on the low end.

Philadelphia

$20,200

avg tuition/year

$7,850 above national avg

Westminster

$13,100

avg tuition/year

$750 above national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Philadelphia	Westminster	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$20,200/yr	$13,100/yr	+$7,100
Religious Schools	$11,400/yr	$8,500/yr	+$2,900
Independent/Prep	$36,000/yr	$25,700/yr	+$10,300
Elementary (K-5)	$16,500/yr	$11,100/yr	+$5,400
Middle School (6-8)	$20,200/yr	$13,100/yr	+$7,100
High School (9-12)	$25,000/yr	$15,700/yr	+$9,300

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Philadelphia

$262,600

Westminster

$170,300

Choosing Westminster saves $92,300 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $184,600.

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

Westminster

Westminster Christian Academy

Christian · K–12 · $9,400-$11,800/yr

Holy Trinity School (Westminster CO)

Catholic · K–8 · $8,200-$10,200/yr

Full Philadelphia breakdown → Full Westminster breakdown →

Pennsylvania private school costs Colorado 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.