Is private school cheaper in Abilene or Pittsburgh?

Abilene has lower average private school tuition at $9,700/year vs $12,200/year in Pittsburgh. That's $2,500/year less, or $32,500 over a K-12 career.

How much can I save on private school by choosing Abilene over Pittsburgh?

Average tuition in Abilene is $2,500/year less than Pittsburgh. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $32,500 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $6,600/year in Abilene, $7,800/year in Pittsburgh.

How do Abilene and Pittsburgh private school costs compare to the national average?

The national average private school tuition is $12,350/year. Abilene averages $9,700/year ($2,650 below average). Pittsburgh averages $12,200/year ($150 below average).

Private School Cost: Abilene vs Pittsburgh

Abilene averages $2,500/year less for private school (26% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $32,500 per child.

Bottom Line

Abilene is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $9,700/year vs $12,200/year in Pittsburgh. Religious schools run $6,600/year on the low end.

Abilene

$9,700

avg tuition/year

$2,650 below national avg

Lower cost

Pittsburgh

$12,200

avg tuition/year

$150 below national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Abilene	Pittsburgh	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$9,700/yr	$12,200/yr	-$2,500
Religious Schools	$6,600/yr	$7,800/yr	-$1,200
Independent/Prep	$20,600/yr	$22,800/yr	-$2,200
Elementary (K-5)	$8,200/yr	$10,000/yr	-$1,800
Middle School (6-8)	$9,700/yr	$12,200/yr	-$2,500
High School (9-12)	$11,600/yr	$15,000/yr	-$3,400

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Abilene

$126,100

Pittsburgh

$158,600

Choosing Abilene saves $32,500 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $65,000.

Sample Schools

Abilene

Wylie Academy (Abilene)

Christian · K–12 · $8,800-$11,200/yr

St. Joseph School (Abilene)

Catholic · K–8 · $7,400-$9,000/yr

Pittsburgh

Shady Side Academy

Independent · PK–12 · $27,800-$29,400/yr

Winchester Thurston School

Independent · PK–12 · $25,200-$27,600/yr

Central Catholic High School (Pittsburgh)

Catholic · 9–12 · $13,400/yr

North Catholic High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $11,800/yr

Full Abilene breakdown → Full Pittsburgh breakdown →

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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.