Is private school cheaper in Colorado Springs or Pittsburgh?

Pittsburgh has lower average private school tuition at $12,200/year vs $13,100/year in Colorado Springs. That's $900/year less, or $11,700 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Pittsburgh is $900/year less than Colorado Springs. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $11,700 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $8,500/year in Colorado Springs, $7,800/year in Pittsburgh.

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

The national average private school tuition is $12,350/year. Colorado Springs averages $13,100/year ($750 above average). Pittsburgh averages $12,200/year ($150 below average).

Private School Cost: Colorado Springs vs Pittsburgh

Pittsburgh averages $900/year less for private school (7% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $11,700 per child.

Bottom Line

Pittsburgh is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $12,200/year vs $13,100/year in Colorado Springs. Religious schools run $7,800/year on the low end.

Colorado Springs

$13,100

avg tuition/year

$750 above national avg

Pittsburgh

$12,200

avg tuition/year

$150 below national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Colorado Springs	Pittsburgh	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$13,100/yr	$12,200/yr	+$900
Religious Schools	$8,500/yr	$7,800/yr	+$700
Independent/Prep	$25,700/yr	$22,800/yr	+$2,900
Elementary (K-5)	$11,100/yr	$10,000/yr	+$1,100
Middle School (6-8)	$13,100/yr	$12,200/yr	+$900
High School (9-12)	$15,700/yr	$15,000/yr	+$700

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Colorado Springs

$170,300

Pittsburgh

$158,600

Choosing Pittsburgh saves $11,700 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $23,400.

Sample Schools

Colorado Springs

Colorado Springs Christian School

Christian · K–12 · $11,200-$14,400/yr

Cheyenne Mountain School District 12 (Private Prep)

Independent · K–12 · $12,800/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 Colorado Springs breakdown → Full Pittsburgh breakdown →

Colorado 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.