Is private school cheaper in Columbus or Pittsburgh?

Pittsburgh has lower average private school tuition at $12,200/year vs $12,500/year in Columbus. That's $300/year less, or $3,900 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Pittsburgh is $300/year less than Columbus. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $3,900 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $8,000/year in Columbus, $7,800/year in Pittsburgh.

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

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

Private School Cost: Columbus vs Pittsburgh

Pittsburgh averages $300/year less for private school (2% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $3,900 per child.

Bottom Line

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

Columbus

$12,500

avg tuition/year

$150 above national avg

Pittsburgh

$12,200

avg tuition/year

$150 below national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Columbus	Pittsburgh	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$12,500/yr	$12,200/yr	+$300
Religious Schools	$8,000/yr	$7,800/yr	+$200
Independent/Prep	$23,500/yr	$22,800/yr	+$700
Elementary (K-5)	$10,200/yr	$10,000/yr	+$200
Middle School (6-8)	$12,500/yr	$12,200/yr	+$300
High School (9-12)	$15,500/yr	$15,000/yr	+$500

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Columbus

$162,500

Pittsburgh

$158,600

Choosing Pittsburgh saves $3,900 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $7,800.

Sample Schools

Columbus

Columbus School for Girls

Independent · PK–12 · $22,400-$24,800/yr

Columbus Academy

Independent · PK–12 · $24,200-$26,800/yr

DeSales High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $12,800/yr

Watterson Catholic High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $13,400/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 Columbus breakdown → Full Pittsburgh breakdown →

Ohio private school costs Pennsylvania private school costs

Related Comparisons

Chicago vs Columbus → Columbus vs Cincinnati → Minneapolis vs Columbus →

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.