Is private school cheaper in Newark or Pittsburgh?

Pittsburgh has lower average private school tuition at $12,200/year vs $19,300/year in Newark. That's $7,100/year less, or $92,300 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Pittsburgh is $7,100/year less than Newark. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $92,300 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $12,400/year in Newark, $7,800/year in Pittsburgh.

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

The national average private school tuition is $12,350/year. Newark averages $19,300/year ($6,950 above average). Pittsburgh averages $12,200/year ($150 below average).

Private School Cost: Newark vs Pittsburgh

Pittsburgh averages $7,100/year less for private school (58% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $92,300 per child.

Bottom Line

Pittsburgh is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $12,200/year vs $19,300/year in Newark. Religious schools run $7,800/year on the low end.

Newark

$19,300

avg tuition/year

$6,950 above national avg

Pittsburgh

$12,200

avg tuition/year

$150 below national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Newark	Pittsburgh	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$19,300/yr	$12,200/yr	+$7,100
Religious Schools	$12,400/yr	$7,800/yr	+$4,600
Independent/Prep	$41,200/yr	$22,800/yr	+$18,400
Elementary (K-5)	$16,400/yr	$10,000/yr	+$6,400
Middle School (6-8)	$19,300/yr	$12,200/yr	+$7,100
High School (9-12)	$23,200/yr	$15,000/yr	+$8,200

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Newark

$250,900

Pittsburgh

$158,600

Choosing Pittsburgh saves $92,300 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $184,600.

Sample Schools

Newark

Seton Hall Preparatory School

Catholic · 9–12 · $22,400/yr

Newark Academy

Independent · 6–12 · $38,400/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 Newark 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.