Is private school cheaper in Allentown or Palmdale?

Allentown has lower average private school tuition at $13,000/year vs $14,900/year in Palmdale. That's $1,900/year less, or $24,700 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Allentown is $1,900/year less than Palmdale. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $24,700 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $8,300/year in Allentown, $9,700/year in Palmdale.

How do Allentown and Palmdale 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). Palmdale averages $14,900/year ($2,550 above average).

Private School Cost: Allentown vs Palmdale

Allentown averages $1,900/year less for private school (15% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $24,700 per child.

Bottom Line

Allentown is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $13,000/year vs $14,900/year in Palmdale. Religious schools run $8,300/year on the low end.

Allentown

$13,000

avg tuition/year

$650 above national avg

Lower cost

Palmdale

$14,900

avg tuition/year

$2,550 above national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Allentown	Palmdale	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$13,000/yr	$14,900/yr	-$1,900
Religious Schools	$8,300/yr	$9,700/yr	-$1,400
Independent/Prep	$30,200/yr	$29,000/yr	+$1,200
Elementary (K-5)	$11,100/yr	$12,700/yr	-$1,600
Middle School (6-8)	$13,000/yr	$14,900/yr	-$1,900
High School (9-12)	$15,600/yr	$17,900/yr	-$2,300

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Allentown

$169,000

Palmdale

$193,700

Choosing Allentown saves $24,700 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $49,400.

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

Palmdale

Palmdale Aerospace Academy (Private)

Independent · K–12 · $10,200/yr

St. Mary School (Palmdale)

Catholic · K–8 · $8,200-$9,800/yr

Full Allentown breakdown → Full Palmdale breakdown →

Pennsylvania private school costs California 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.