Private School Cost: Boulder vs Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh averages $3,000/year less for private school (25% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $39,000 per child.
Bottom Line
Pittsburgh is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $12,200/year vs $15,200/year in Boulder. Religious schools run $7,800/year on the low end.
Boulder
CO
$15,200
avg tuition/year
Pittsburgh
PA
$12,200
avg tuition/year
Tuition by School Type & Grade
| Category | Boulder | Pittsburgh | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| All Schools (Average) | $15,200/yr | $12,200/yr | +$3,000 |
| Religious Schools | $9,900/yr | $7,800/yr | +$2,100 |
| Independent/Prep | $29,900/yr | $22,800/yr | +$7,100 |
| Elementary (K-5) | $12,900/yr | $10,000/yr | +$2,900 |
| Middle School (6-8) | $15,200/yr | $12,200/yr | +$3,000 |
| High School (9-12) | $18,200/yr | $15,000/yr | +$3,200 |
K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)
Boulder
$197,600
Pittsburgh
$158,600
Choosing Pittsburgh saves $39,000 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $78,000.
Sample Schools
Boulder
Naropa University Lab School
Independent · K–8 · $18,400/yr
Dawson School
Independent · PK–12 · $26,800/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
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.