Is private school cheaper in Tampa or Virginia Beach?

Tampa has lower average private school tuition at $12,500/year vs $13,200/year in Virginia Beach. That's $700/year less, or $9,100 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Tampa is $700/year less than Virginia Beach. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $9,100 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $8,200/year in Tampa, $8,600/year in Virginia Beach.

How do Tampa and Virginia Beach private school costs compare to the national average?

The national average private school tuition is $12,350/year. Tampa averages $12,500/year ($150 above average). Virginia Beach averages $13,200/year ($850 above average).

Private School Cost: Tampa vs Virginia Beach

Tampa averages $700/year less for private school (6% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $9,100 per child.

Bottom Line

Tampa is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $12,500/year vs $13,200/year in Virginia Beach. Religious schools run $8,200/year on the low end.

Tampa

$12,500

avg tuition/year

$150 above national avg

Lower cost

Virginia Beach

$13,200

avg tuition/year

$850 above national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Tampa	Virginia Beach	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$12,500/yr	$13,200/yr	-$700
Religious Schools	$8,200/yr	$8,600/yr	-$400
Independent/Prep	$23,500/yr	$24,500/yr	-$1,000
Elementary (K-5)	$10,200/yr	$10,800/yr	-$600
Middle School (6-8)	$12,500/yr	$13,200/yr	-$700
High School (9-12)	$15,500/yr	$16,200/yr	-$700

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Tampa

$162,500

Virginia Beach

$171,600

Choosing Tampa saves $9,100 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $18,200.

Sample Schools

Tampa

Academy at the Lakes

Independent · PK–12 · $23,800-$26,200/yr

Jesuit High School (Tampa)

Catholic · 9–12 · $16,800/yr

Berkeley Preparatory School

Independent · PK–12 · $27,200-$29,800/yr

Tampa Prep

Independent · 6–12 · $22,400-$24,200/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 Tampa breakdown → Full Virginia Beach breakdown →

Florida private school costs Virginia private school costs

Related Comparisons

Miami vs Tampa → Tampa vs Orlando →

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.