Is private school cheaper in Minneapolis or Pittsburgh?

Pittsburgh has lower average private school tuition at $12,200/year vs $15,000/year in Minneapolis. That's $2,800/year less, or $36,400 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Pittsburgh is $2,800/year less than Minneapolis. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $36,400 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $9,200/year in Minneapolis, $7,800/year in Pittsburgh.

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

The national average private school tuition is $12,350/year. Minneapolis averages $15,000/year ($2,650 above average). Pittsburgh averages $12,200/year ($150 below average).

Private School Cost: Minneapolis vs Pittsburgh

Pittsburgh averages $2,800/year less for private school (23% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $36,400 per child.

Bottom Line

Pittsburgh is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $12,200/year vs $15,000/year in Minneapolis. Religious schools run $7,800/year on the low end.

Minneapolis

$15,000

avg tuition/year

$2,650 above national avg

Pittsburgh

$12,200

avg tuition/year

$150 below national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Minneapolis	Pittsburgh	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$15,000/yr	$12,200/yr	+$2,800
Religious Schools	$9,200/yr	$7,800/yr	+$1,400
Independent/Prep	$27,500/yr	$22,800/yr	+$4,700
Elementary (K-5)	$12,200/yr	$10,000/yr	+$2,200
Middle School (6-8)	$15,000/yr	$12,200/yr	+$2,800
High School (9-12)	$18,500/yr	$15,000/yr	+$3,500

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Minneapolis

$195,000

Pittsburgh

$158,600

Choosing Pittsburgh saves $36,400 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $72,800.

Sample Schools

Minneapolis

Blake School

Independent · PK–12 · $34,800-$37,200/yr

Breck School

Independent · PK–12 · $28,400/yr

Minnehaha Academy

Christian · PK–12 · $16,200-$17,800/yr

De La Salle High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $15,800/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 Minneapolis breakdown → Full Pittsburgh breakdown →

Minnesota private school costs Pennsylvania private school costs

Related Comparisons

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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.