Is private school cheaper in Denver or Scranton?

Scranton has lower average private school tuition at $12,200/year vs $16,400/year in Denver. That's $4,200/year less, or $54,600 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Scranton is $4,200/year less than Denver. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $54,600 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $9,800/year in Denver, $7,800/year in Scranton.

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

The national average private school tuition is $12,350/year. Denver averages $16,400/year ($4,050 above average). Scranton averages $12,200/year ($150 below average).

Private School Cost: Denver vs Scranton

Scranton averages $4,200/year less for private school (34% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $54,600 per child.

Bottom Line

Scranton is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $12,200/year vs $16,400/year in Denver. Religious schools run $7,800/year on the low end.

Denver

$16,400

avg tuition/year

$4,050 above national avg

Scranton

$12,200

avg tuition/year

$150 below national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Denver	Scranton	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$16,400/yr	$12,200/yr	+$4,200
Religious Schools	$9,800/yr	$7,800/yr	+$2,000
Independent/Prep	$28,500/yr	$28,300/yr	+$200
Elementary (K-5)	$13,500/yr	$10,400/yr	+$3,100
Middle School (6-8)	$16,400/yr	$12,200/yr	+$4,200
High School (9-12)	$20,200/yr	$14,600/yr	+$5,600

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Denver

$213,200

Scranton

$158,600

Choosing Scranton saves $54,600 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $109,200.

Sample Schools

Denver

Kent Denver School

Independent · 6–12 · $35,200-$37,800/yr

Colorado Academy

Independent · PK–12 · $33,800-$36,400/yr

Regis Jesuit High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $18,800/yr

Mullen High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $17,400/yr

Scranton

Holy Cross High School (Dunmore)

Catholic · 9–12 · $11,200/yr

Wyoming Seminary

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

Full Denver breakdown → Full Scranton breakdown →

Colorado private school costs Pennsylvania private school costs

Related Comparisons

Denver vs Phoenix → Seattle vs Denver → Denver vs Dallas →

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.