Private Schools Cost in Philadelphia (2026)
Quick Answer
Partially verifiedPrivate school tuition in Philadelphia varies widely by age and school type. Verified day-school tuition at well-known Philadelphia independents is roughly USD 24,000 to USD 47,000 per year, with elementary and middle years often below the upper-school rate; a realistic citywide estimate for many private K–12 schools is about USD 15,000 to USD 50,000 per year. Boarding, special programmes, transport, meals and after-school care can add materially to the total.
Overview
In Philadelphia, private school costs depend heavily on whether you are looking at pre-kindergarten, elementary, middle or upper school, and whether the school is a secular independent school, Quaker school, Catholic/parochial school or a specialised provider. For mainstream independent day schools in the city, published tuition commonly sits in the mid-five figures per academic year, while some faith-based schools can be notably lower. Most schools bill by school year rather than by term, and additional compulsory or semi-compulsory charges may apply for application fees, enrolment deposits, lunch plans, books, uniforms, technology, transport and extracurriculars. Verified examples from major Philadelphia schools show lower-school tuition in the mid-USD 20,000s to low-USD 30,000s and upper-school tuition approaching or exceeding USD 40,000 per year. That means families comparing options should budget not only for headline tuition but also for ancillary costs and annual increases. Financial aid is common at many independent schools, so the published figure is not always what a family ultimately pays. For international families, some schools may charge the same tuition as domestic pupils but impose extra document, language-support or boarding-related costs if offered. Where exact citywide averages are not officially published in one place, the most reliable approach is to compare current tuition schedules from individual schools.
What It Costs
| Item | Cost | Evidence |
|---|---|---|
| William Penn Charter School tuition(per academic year) Published tuition ranges by division; lower school at the low end and upper school at the high end. | ~$24,600 – $47,500 | Estimated range |
| The Philadelphia School tuition(per academic year) Published tuition varies by grade band. | $31,680 – $41,235 | Verified from source |
| Friends Select School tuition(per academic year) Published tuition varies from early years/lower grades to upper school. | ~$28,150 – $43,800 | Estimated range |
| Typical private day school tuition in Philadelphia(per academic year) Estimated range based on published tuition at Philadelphia independent schools and the local mix of lower-cost faith-based schools and higher-cost independent college-prep schools. | ~$15,000 – $50,000 | Estimated range |
| Application or enrolment-related upfront charges(one-off) Estimated range based on common private-school application fees and enrolment deposits in US independent schools; exact charges differ by school and may be credited or non-refundable. | ~$50 – $1,000 | Estimated range |
What’s Typically Included
- Core classroom tuition
- Access to standard school-day academic programme
Variants & Configurations
Duration
Usually charged per academic year, typically covering one school year from late summer/autumn to late spring/early summer.
How Fees Work
Most Philadelphia private schools publish annual tuition by division or grade band. Separate charges may apply for application fees, enrolment deposits, meals, transport, uniforms, technology, books, trips and extended-day care.
Factors Affecting Price
- School type: independent college-prep schools usually charge more than parish or diocesan schools
- Year group: tuition often rises from lower school to upper school
- Included services: lunch, technology, books, transport and after-school care may or may not be in the headline fee
- Financial aid and scholarships: published tuition can differ significantly from net family cost
- International status or specialist support needs: extra documentation or language/learning support can increase total cost
Local Context
Philadelphia has a broad spread of private-school pricing, from lower-cost religious schools to long-established independent schools with substantially higher tuition. Tuition itself is not a retail purchase, so sales tax is not the key issue; the bigger local budgeting factors are transport within the city and suburbs, meals, uniforms and optional care before or after the school day.
Some figures here are still being verified.
Where a verified figure isn’t available yet, we say so rather than guess. For the most current pricing, check the official source below.
All figures are in US dollars and usually quoted per academic year unless stated otherwise.
Sources & References
Every price on this page is traced to a documented source. Last checked 24 September 2026.
- The Philadelphia School · official
Published annual tuition by grade band.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does private school typically cost in Philadelphia?+
A practical estimate is about USD 15,000 to USD 50,000 per year, with many prominent independent day schools falling roughly between the high-USD 20,000s and mid-USD 40,000s.
Are there cheaper private schools than the big independent schools?+
Yes. Faith-based and parish schools are often cheaper than elite independent schools, although exact tuition varies by operator and grade level.
Do private schools in Philadelphia charge different fees for international students?+
Some schools charge the same tuition for domestic and international pupils, while others may have additional fees linked to documents, English-language support or boarding. You should check each school's current admissions and tuition page.
What extra costs should families expect beyond tuition?+
Common extras include application fees, enrolment deposits, uniforms, lunch, transport, books, technology charges, trips, sports and after-school care.
Is financial aid available?+
Many independent schools in Philadelphia offer need-based financial aid, and some also have scholarships or flexible payment plans.
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Check current prices at the official source
Pennsylvania Department of Education
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