Is private school cheaper in Burlington or Scranton?

Scranton has lower average private school tuition at $12,200/year vs $18,200/year in Burlington. That's $6,000/year less, or $78,000 over a K-12 career.

How much can I save on private school by choosing Scranton over Burlington?

Average tuition in Scranton is $6,000/year less than Burlington. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $78,000 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $11,000/year in Burlington, $7,800/year in Scranton.

How do Burlington and Scranton private school costs compare to the national average?

The national average private school tuition is $12,350/year. Burlington averages $18,200/year ($5,850 above average). Scranton averages $12,200/year ($150 below average).

Private School Cost: Burlington vs Scranton

Scranton averages $6,000/year less for private school (49% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $78,000 per child.

Bottom Line

Scranton is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $12,200/year vs $18,200/year in Burlington. Religious schools run $7,800/year on the low end.

Burlington

$18,200

avg tuition/year

$5,850 above national avg

Scranton

$12,200

avg tuition/year

$150 below national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Burlington	Scranton	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$18,200/yr	$12,200/yr	+$6,000
Religious Schools	$11,000/yr	$7,800/yr	+$3,200
Independent/Prep	$39,800/yr	$28,300/yr	+$11,500
Elementary (K-5)	$15,500/yr	$10,400/yr	+$5,100
Middle School (6-8)	$18,200/yr	$12,200/yr	+$6,000
High School (9-12)	$21,800/yr	$14,600/yr	+$7,200

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Burlington

$236,600

Scranton

$158,600

Choosing Scranton saves $78,000 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $156,000.

Sample Schools

Burlington

Rice Memorial High School (Burlington VT)

Catholic · 9–12 · $13,200/yr

Champlain Valley Christian School

Christian · K–12 · $9,400-$11,800/yr

Scranton

Holy Cross High School (Dunmore)

Catholic · 9–12 · $11,200/yr

Wyoming Seminary

Independent · 9–12 · $36,800-$42,000/yr

Full Burlington breakdown → Full Scranton breakdown →

Vermont private school costs Pennsylvania 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.