Is private school cheaper in Chicago or Pittsburgh?

Pittsburgh has lower average private school tuition at $12,200/year vs $18,400/year in Chicago. That's $6,200/year less, or $80,600 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Pittsburgh is $6,200/year less than Chicago. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $80,600 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $10,200/year in Chicago, $7,800/year in Pittsburgh.

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

The national average private school tuition is $12,350/year. Chicago averages $18,400/year ($6,050 above average). Pittsburgh averages $12,200/year ($150 below average).

Private School Cost: Chicago vs Pittsburgh

Pittsburgh averages $6,200/year less for private school (51% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $80,600 per child.

Bottom Line

Pittsburgh is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $12,200/year vs $18,400/year in Chicago. Religious schools run $7,800/year on the low end.

Chicago

$18,400

avg tuition/year

$6,050 above national avg

Pittsburgh

$12,200

avg tuition/year

$150 below national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Chicago	Pittsburgh	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$18,400/yr	$12,200/yr	+$6,200
Religious Schools	$10,200/yr	$7,800/yr	+$2,400
Independent/Prep	$32,000/yr	$22,800/yr	+$9,200
Elementary (K-5)	$15,000/yr	$10,000/yr	+$5,000
Middle School (6-8)	$18,400/yr	$12,200/yr	+$6,200
High School (9-12)	$22,800/yr	$15,000/yr	+$7,800

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Chicago

$239,200

Pittsburgh

$158,600

Choosing Pittsburgh saves $80,600 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $161,200.

Sample Schools

Chicago

Latin School of Chicago

Independent · JK–12 · $38,040/yr

University of Chicago Laboratory Schools

Independent · N–12 · $35,700-$38,200/yr

Francis W. Parker School

Independent · JK–12 · $36,800/yr

St. Ignatius College Prep (Chicago)

Catholic · 9–12 · $19,400/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 Chicago breakdown → Full Pittsburgh breakdown →

Illinois private school costs Pennsylvania private school costs

Related Comparisons

New York vs Chicago → Chicago vs Indianapolis → Chicago vs Columbus → Chicago vs Milwaukee →

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.