Is private school cheaper in Allentown or Tacoma?

Allentown has lower average private school tuition at $13,000/year vs $13,700/year in Tacoma. That's $700/year less, or $9,100 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Allentown is $700/year less than Tacoma. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $9,100 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $8,300/year in Allentown, $9,400/year in Tacoma.

How do Allentown and Tacoma 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). Tacoma averages $13,700/year ($1,350 above average).

Private School Cost: Allentown vs Tacoma

Allentown averages $700/year less for private school (5% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $9,100 per child.

Bottom Line

Allentown is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $13,000/year vs $13,700/year in Tacoma. Religious schools run $8,300/year on the low end.

Allentown

$13,000

avg tuition/year

$650 above national avg

Lower cost

Tacoma

$13,700

avg tuition/year

$1,350 above national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Allentown	Tacoma	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$13,000/yr	$13,700/yr	-$700
Religious Schools	$8,300/yr	$9,400/yr	-$1,100
Independent/Prep	$30,200/yr	$29,400/yr	+$800
Elementary (K-5)	$11,100/yr	$11,600/yr	-$500
Middle School (6-8)	$13,000/yr	$13,700/yr	-$700
High School (9-12)	$15,600/yr	$16,400/yr	-$800

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Allentown

$169,000

Tacoma

$178,100

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

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

Tacoma

Charles Wright Academy

Independent · PK–12 · $28,400/yr

Bellarmine Preparatory School

Catholic · 9–12 · $18,400/yr

Full Allentown breakdown → Full Tacoma breakdown →

Pennsylvania private school costs Washington 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.