Is private school cheaper in Lakeland or Pittsburgh?

Lakeland has lower average private school tuition at $9,600/year vs $12,200/year in Pittsburgh. That's $2,600/year less, or $33,800 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Lakeland is $2,600/year less than Pittsburgh. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $33,800 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $6,600/year in Lakeland, $7,800/year in Pittsburgh.

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

The national average private school tuition is $12,350/year. Lakeland averages $9,600/year ($2,750 below average). Pittsburgh averages $12,200/year ($150 below average).

Private School Cost: Lakeland vs Pittsburgh

Lakeland averages $2,600/year less for private school (27% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $33,800 per child.

Bottom Line

Lakeland is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $9,600/year vs $12,200/year in Pittsburgh. Religious schools run $6,600/year on the low end.

Lakeland

$9,600

avg tuition/year

$2,750 below national avg

Lower cost

Pittsburgh

$12,200

avg tuition/year

$150 below national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Lakeland	Pittsburgh	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$9,600/yr	$12,200/yr	-$2,600
Religious Schools	$6,600/yr	$7,800/yr	-$1,200
Independent/Prep	$19,800/yr	$22,800/yr	-$3,000
Elementary (K-5)	$8,200/yr	$10,000/yr	-$1,800
Middle School (6-8)	$9,600/yr	$12,200/yr	-$2,600
High School (9-12)	$11,500/yr	$15,000/yr	-$3,500

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Lakeland

$124,800

Pittsburgh

$158,600

Choosing Lakeland saves $33,800 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $67,600.

Sample Schools

Lakeland

All Saints Academy (Lakeland)

Catholic · PK–12 · $13,800/yr

Victory Christian School (Lakeland)

Christian · K–12 · $9,400-$11,800/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 Lakeland breakdown → Full Pittsburgh breakdown →

Florida 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.