Is private school cheaper in Jersey City or Pittsburgh?

Pittsburgh has lower average private school tuition at $12,200/year vs $20,900/year in Jersey City. That's $8,700/year less, or $113,100 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Pittsburgh is $8,700/year less than Jersey City. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $113,100 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $13,500/year in Jersey City, $7,800/year in Pittsburgh.

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

The national average private school tuition is $12,350/year. Jersey City averages $20,900/year ($8,550 above average). Pittsburgh averages $12,200/year ($150 below average).

Private School Cost: Jersey City vs Pittsburgh

Pittsburgh averages $8,700/year less for private school (71% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $113,100 per child.

Bottom Line

Pittsburgh is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $12,200/year vs $20,900/year in Jersey City. Religious schools run $7,800/year on the low end.

Jersey City

$20,900

avg tuition/year

$8,550 above national avg

Pittsburgh

$12,200

avg tuition/year

$150 below national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Jersey City	Pittsburgh	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$20,900/yr	$12,200/yr	+$8,700
Religious Schools	$13,500/yr	$7,800/yr	+$5,700
Independent/Prep	$44,800/yr	$22,800/yr	+$22,000
Elementary (K-5)	$17,800/yr	$10,000/yr	+$7,800
Middle School (6-8)	$20,900/yr	$12,200/yr	+$8,700
High School (9-12)	$25,100/yr	$15,000/yr	+$10,100

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Jersey City

$271,700

Pittsburgh

$158,600

Choosing Pittsburgh saves $113,100 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $226,200.

Sample Schools

Jersey City

Hudson Catholic Regional High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $14,800/yr

Saint Aloysius Academy (Jersey City)

Catholic · K–8 · $10,800-$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 Jersey City breakdown → Full Pittsburgh breakdown →

New Jersey 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.