Is private school cheaper in Allentown or Dayton?

Dayton has lower average private school tuition at $8,100/year vs $13,000/year in Allentown. That's $4,900/year less, or $63,700 over a K-12 career.

How much can I save on private school by choosing Dayton over Allentown?

Average tuition in Dayton is $4,900/year less than Allentown. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $63,700 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $8,300/year in Allentown, $5,700/year in Dayton.

How do Allentown and Dayton private school costs compare to the national average?

The national average private school tuition is $12,350/year. Allentown averages $13,000/year ($650 above average). Dayton averages $8,100/year ($4,250 below average).

Private School Cost: Allentown vs Dayton

Dayton averages $4,900/year less for private school (60% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $63,700 per child.

Bottom Line

Dayton is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $8,100/year vs $13,000/year in Allentown. Religious schools run $5,700/year on the low end.

Allentown

$13,000

avg tuition/year

$650 above national avg

Dayton

$8,100

avg tuition/year

$4,250 below national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Allentown	Dayton	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$13,000/yr	$8,100/yr	+$4,900
Religious Schools	$8,300/yr	$5,700/yr	+$2,600
Independent/Prep	$30,200/yr	$18,700/yr	+$11,500
Elementary (K-5)	$11,100/yr	$6,900/yr	+$4,200
Middle School (6-8)	$13,000/yr	$8,100/yr	+$4,900
High School (9-12)	$15,600/yr	$9,700/yr	+$5,900

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Allentown

$169,000

Dayton

$105,300

Choosing Dayton saves $63,700 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $127,400.

Sample Schools

Allentown

Lehigh Valley Academy (Allentown)

Independent · K–12 · $10,800-$13,400/yr

Central Catholic High School (Allentown)

Catholic · 9–12 · $14,400/yr

Dayton

Chaminade Julienne Catholic High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $11,400/yr

Dayton Christian Schools

Christian · K–12 · $9,600-$12,000/yr

Full Allentown breakdown → Full Dayton breakdown →

Pennsylvania private school costs Ohio private school costs

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.