Is private school cheaper in Honolulu or Pittsburgh?

Pittsburgh has lower average private school tuition at $12,200/year vs $20,200/year in Honolulu. That's $8,000/year less, or $104,000 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Pittsburgh is $8,000/year less than Honolulu. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $104,000 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $12,900/year in Honolulu, $7,800/year in Pittsburgh.

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

The national average private school tuition is $12,350/year. Honolulu averages $20,200/year ($7,850 above average). Pittsburgh averages $12,200/year ($150 below average).

Private School Cost: Honolulu vs Pittsburgh

Pittsburgh averages $8,000/year less for private school (66% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $104,000 per child.

Bottom Line

Pittsburgh is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $12,200/year vs $20,200/year in Honolulu. Religious schools run $7,800/year on the low end.

Honolulu

$20,200

avg tuition/year

$7,850 above national avg

Pittsburgh

$12,200

avg tuition/year

$150 below national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Honolulu	Pittsburgh	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$20,200/yr	$12,200/yr	+$8,000
Religious Schools	$12,900/yr	$7,800/yr	+$5,100
Independent/Prep	$37,600/yr	$22,800/yr	+$14,800
Elementary (K-5)	$17,200/yr	$10,000/yr	+$7,200
Middle School (6-8)	$20,200/yr	$12,200/yr	+$8,000
High School (9-12)	$24,200/yr	$15,000/yr	+$9,200

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Honolulu

$262,600

Pittsburgh

$158,600

Choosing Pittsburgh saves $104,000 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $208,000.

Sample Schools

Honolulu

Punahou School

Independent · K–12 · $27,400/yr

Iolani School

Independent (Episcopal) · K–12 · $24,800/yr

Saint Louis School (Honolulu)

Catholic · 9–12 · $13,800/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 Honolulu breakdown → Full Pittsburgh breakdown →

Hawaii 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.