Is private school cheaper in Clearwater or Pittsburgh?

Clearwater has lower average private school tuition at $10,200/year vs $12,200/year in Pittsburgh. That's $2,000/year less, or $26,000 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Clearwater is $2,000/year less than Pittsburgh. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $26,000 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $7,100/year in Clearwater, $7,800/year in Pittsburgh.

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

The national average private school tuition is $12,350/year. Clearwater averages $10,200/year ($2,150 below average). Pittsburgh averages $12,200/year ($150 below average).

Private School Cost: Clearwater vs Pittsburgh

Clearwater averages $2,000/year less for private school (20% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $26,000 per child.

Bottom Line

Clearwater is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $10,200/year vs $12,200/year in Pittsburgh. Religious schools run $7,100/year on the low end.

Clearwater

$10,200

avg tuition/year

$2,150 below national avg

Lower cost

Pittsburgh

$12,200

avg tuition/year

$150 below national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Clearwater	Pittsburgh	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$10,200/yr	$12,200/yr	-$2,000
Religious Schools	$7,100/yr	$7,800/yr	-$700
Independent/Prep	$21,100/yr	$22,800/yr	-$1,700
Elementary (K-5)	$8,700/yr	$10,000/yr	-$1,300
Middle School (6-8)	$10,200/yr	$12,200/yr	-$2,000
High School (9-12)	$12,200/yr	$15,000/yr	-$2,800

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Clearwater

$132,600

Pittsburgh

$158,600

Choosing Clearwater saves $26,000 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $52,000.

Sample Schools

Clearwater

Calvary Christian Academy (Clearwater)

Christian · PK–12 · $10,400-$12,800/yr

Holy Trinity Episcopal Academy

Independent (Episcopal) · PK–12 · $14,200/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 Clearwater breakdown → Full Pittsburgh breakdown →

Florida 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.