Is private school cheaper in Cary or Pittsburgh?

Cary has lower average private school tuition at $11,500/year vs $12,200/year in Pittsburgh. That's $700/year less, or $9,100 over a K-12 career.

How much can I save on private school by choosing Cary over Pittsburgh?

Average tuition in Cary is $700/year less than Pittsburgh. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $9,100 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $8,100/year in Cary, $7,800/year in Pittsburgh.

How do Cary and Pittsburgh private school costs compare to the national average?

The national average private school tuition is $12,350/year. Cary averages $11,500/year ($850 below average). Pittsburgh averages $12,200/year ($150 below average).

Private School Cost: Cary vs Pittsburgh

Cary averages $700/year less for private school (6% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $9,100 per child.

Bottom Line

Cary is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $11,500/year vs $12,200/year in Pittsburgh. Religious schools run $7,800/year on the low end.

Cary

$11,500

avg tuition/year

$850 below national avg

Lower cost

Pittsburgh

$12,200

avg tuition/year

$150 below national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Cary	Pittsburgh	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$11,500/yr	$12,200/yr	-$700
Religious Schools	$8,100/yr	$7,800/yr	+$300
Independent/Prep	$24,100/yr	$22,800/yr	+$1,300
Elementary (K-5)	$9,800/yr	$10,000/yr	-$200
Middle School (6-8)	$11,500/yr	$12,200/yr	-$700
High School (9-12)	$13,800/yr	$15,000/yr	-$1,200

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Cary

$149,500

Pittsburgh

$158,600

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

Sample Schools

Cary

Cary Academy

Independent · 6–12 · $25,800/yr

Thales Academy (Cary)

Independent · K–12 · $7,200-$9,400/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

Full Cary breakdown → Full Pittsburgh breakdown →

North Carolina 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.