Is private school cheaper in Orange County or Pittsburgh?

Pittsburgh has lower average private school tuition at $12,200/year vs $20,800/year in Orange County. That's $8,600/year less, or $111,800 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Pittsburgh is $8,600/year less than Orange County. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $111,800 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $11,200/year in Orange County, $7,800/year in Pittsburgh.

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

The national average private school tuition is $12,350/year. Orange County averages $20,800/year ($8,450 above average). Pittsburgh averages $12,200/year ($150 below average).

Private School Cost: Orange County vs Pittsburgh

Pittsburgh averages $8,600/year less for private school (70% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $111,800 per child.

Bottom Line

Pittsburgh is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $12,200/year vs $20,800/year in Orange County. Religious schools run $7,800/year on the low end.

Orange County

$20,800

avg tuition/year

$8,450 above national avg

Pittsburgh

$12,200

avg tuition/year

$150 below national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Orange County	Pittsburgh	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$20,800/yr	$12,200/yr	+$8,600
Religious Schools	$11,200/yr	$7,800/yr	+$3,400
Independent/Prep	$34,800/yr	$22,800/yr	+$12,000
Elementary (K-5)	$17,000/yr	$10,000/yr	+$7,000
Middle School (6-8)	$20,800/yr	$12,200/yr	+$8,600
High School (9-12)	$25,500/yr	$15,000/yr	+$10,500

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Orange County

$270,400

Pittsburgh

$158,600

Choosing Pittsburgh saves $111,800 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $223,600.

Sample Schools

Orange County

Sage Hill School

Independent · 9–12 · $41,800/yr

Fairmont Preparatory Academy

Independent · 9–12 · $34,600-$37,200/yr

Calvary Chapel Academy

Christian · K–12 · $10,400-$12,800/yr

JSerra Catholic High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $22,400/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 Orange County breakdown → Full Pittsburgh breakdown →

California 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.