Is private school cheaper in Milwaukee or Pittsburgh?

Milwaukee has lower average private school tuition at $11,200/year vs $12,200/year in Pittsburgh. That's $1,000/year less, or $13,000 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Milwaukee is $1,000/year less than Pittsburgh. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $13,000 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $7,400/year in Milwaukee, $7,800/year in Pittsburgh.

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

The national average private school tuition is $12,350/year. Milwaukee averages $11,200/year ($1,150 below average). Pittsburgh averages $12,200/year ($150 below average).

Private School Cost: Milwaukee vs Pittsburgh

Milwaukee averages $1,000/year less for private school (9% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $13,000 per child.

Bottom Line

Milwaukee is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $11,200/year vs $12,200/year in Pittsburgh. Religious schools run $7,400/year on the low end.

Milwaukee

$11,200

avg tuition/year

$1,150 below national avg

Lower cost

Pittsburgh

$12,200

avg tuition/year

$150 below national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Milwaukee	Pittsburgh	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$11,200/yr	$12,200/yr	-$1,000
Religious Schools	$7,400/yr	$7,800/yr	-$400
Independent/Prep	$21,000/yr	$22,800/yr	-$1,800
Elementary (K-5)	$9,200/yr	$10,000/yr	-$800
Middle School (6-8)	$11,200/yr	$12,200/yr	-$1,000
High School (9-12)	$13,800/yr	$15,000/yr	-$1,200

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Milwaukee

$145,600

Pittsburgh

$158,600

Choosing Milwaukee saves $13,000 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $26,000.

Sample Schools

Milwaukee

University School of Milwaukee

Independent · PK–12 · $22,800-$25,200/yr

Milwaukee University School

Independent · PK–12 · $21,400/yr

Marquette University High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $14,800/yr

Divine Savior Holy Angels High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $13,200/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 Milwaukee breakdown → Full Pittsburgh breakdown →

Wisconsin private school costs Pennsylvania private school costs

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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.