Is private school cheaper in Kansas City or Pittsburgh?

Pittsburgh has lower average private school tuition at $12,200/year vs $12,800/year in Kansas City. That's $600/year less, or $7,800 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Pittsburgh is $600/year less than Kansas City. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $7,800 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $8,200/year in Kansas City, $7,800/year in Pittsburgh.

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

The national average private school tuition is $12,350/year. Kansas City averages $12,800/year ($450 above average). Pittsburgh averages $12,200/year ($150 below average).

Private School Cost: Kansas City vs Pittsburgh

Pittsburgh averages $600/year less for private school (5% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $7,800 per child.

Bottom Line

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

Kansas City

$12,800

avg tuition/year

$450 above national avg

Pittsburgh

$12,200

avg tuition/year

$150 below national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Kansas City	Pittsburgh	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$12,800/yr	$12,200/yr	+$600
Religious Schools	$8,200/yr	$7,800/yr	+$400
Independent/Prep	$24,000/yr	$22,800/yr	+$1,200
Elementary (K-5)	$10,400/yr	$10,000/yr	+$400
Middle School (6-8)	$12,800/yr	$12,200/yr	+$600
High School (9-12)	$15,800/yr	$15,000/yr	+$800

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Kansas City

$166,400

Pittsburgh

$158,600

Choosing Pittsburgh saves $7,800 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $15,600.

Sample Schools

Kansas City

Pembroke Hill School

Independent · PK–12 · $24,800-$26,400/yr

Rockhurst High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $16,200/yr

Bishop Miege High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $14,200/yr

St. Teresa's Academy (KC)

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 Kansas City breakdown → Full Pittsburgh breakdown →

Missouri 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.