Is private school cheaper in Dayton or Scranton?

Dayton has lower average private school tuition at $8,100/year vs $12,200/year in Scranton. That's $4,100/year less, or $53,300 over a K-12 career.

How much can I save on private school by choosing Dayton over Scranton?

Average tuition in Dayton is $4,100/year less than Scranton. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $53,300 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $5,700/year in Dayton, $7,800/year in Scranton.

How do Dayton and Scranton private school costs compare to the national average?

The national average private school tuition is $12,350/year. Dayton averages $8,100/year ($4,250 below average). Scranton averages $12,200/year ($150 below average).

Private School Cost: Dayton vs Scranton

Dayton averages $4,100/year less for private school (51% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $53,300 per child.

Bottom Line

Dayton is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $8,100/year vs $12,200/year in Scranton. Religious schools run $5,700/year on the low end.

Dayton

$8,100

avg tuition/year

$4,250 below national avg

Lower cost

Scranton

$12,200

avg tuition/year

$150 below national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Dayton	Scranton	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$8,100/yr	$12,200/yr	-$4,100
Religious Schools	$5,700/yr	$7,800/yr	-$2,100
Independent/Prep	$18,700/yr	$28,300/yr	-$9,600
Elementary (K-5)	$6,900/yr	$10,400/yr	-$3,500
Middle School (6-8)	$8,100/yr	$12,200/yr	-$4,100
High School (9-12)	$9,700/yr	$14,600/yr	-$4,900

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Dayton

$105,300

Scranton

$158,600

Choosing Dayton saves $53,300 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $106,600.

Sample Schools

Dayton

Chaminade Julienne Catholic High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $11,400/yr

Dayton Christian Schools

Christian · K–12 · $9,600-$12,000/yr

Scranton

Holy Cross High School (Dunmore)

Catholic · 9–12 · $11,200/yr

Wyoming Seminary

Independent · 9–12 · $36,800-$42,000/yr

Full Dayton breakdown → Full Scranton breakdown →

Ohio 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.