Is private school cheaper in Cedar Rapids or Pittsburgh?

Cedar Rapids has lower average private school tuition at $6,800/year vs $12,200/year in Pittsburgh. That's $5,400/year less, or $70,200 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Cedar Rapids is $5,400/year less than Pittsburgh. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $70,200 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $4,800/year in Cedar Rapids, $7,800/year in Pittsburgh.

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

The national average private school tuition is $12,350/year. Cedar Rapids averages $6,800/year ($5,550 below average). Pittsburgh averages $12,200/year ($150 below average).

Private School Cost: Cedar Rapids vs Pittsburgh

Cedar Rapids averages $5,400/year less for private school (79% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $70,200 per child.

Bottom Line

Cedar Rapids is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $6,800/year vs $12,200/year in Pittsburgh. Religious schools run $4,800/year on the low end.

Cedar Rapids

$6,800

avg tuition/year

$5,550 below national avg

Lower cost

Pittsburgh

$12,200

avg tuition/year

$150 below national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Cedar Rapids	Pittsburgh	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$6,800/yr	$12,200/yr	-$5,400
Religious Schools	$4,800/yr	$7,800/yr	-$3,000
Independent/Prep	$14,300/yr	$22,800/yr	-$8,500
Elementary (K-5)	$5,800/yr	$10,000/yr	-$4,200
Middle School (6-8)	$6,800/yr	$12,200/yr	-$5,400
High School (9-12)	$8,200/yr	$15,000/yr	-$6,800

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Cedar Rapids

$88,400

Pittsburgh

$158,600

Choosing Cedar Rapids saves $70,200 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $140,400.

Sample Schools

Cedar Rapids

Xavier High School (Cedar Rapids)

Catholic · 9–12 · $9,400/yr

Cedar Rapids Christian School

Christian · K–12 · $8,400-$10,400/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 Cedar Rapids breakdown → Full Pittsburgh breakdown →

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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.