Is private school cheaper in Palmdale or Scranton?

Scranton has lower average private school tuition at $12,200/year vs $14,900/year in Palmdale. That's $2,700/year less, or $35,100 over a K-12 career.

How much can I save on private school by choosing Scranton over Palmdale?

Average tuition in Scranton is $2,700/year less than Palmdale. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $35,100 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $9,700/year in Palmdale, $7,800/year in Scranton.

How do Palmdale and Scranton private school costs compare to the national average?

The national average private school tuition is $12,350/year. Palmdale averages $14,900/year ($2,550 above average). Scranton averages $12,200/year ($150 below average).

Private School Cost: Palmdale vs Scranton

Scranton averages $2,700/year less for private school (22% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $35,100 per child.

Bottom Line

Scranton is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $12,200/year vs $14,900/year in Palmdale. Religious schools run $7,800/year on the low end.

Palmdale

$14,900

avg tuition/year

$2,550 above national avg

Scranton

$12,200

avg tuition/year

$150 below national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Palmdale	Scranton	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$14,900/yr	$12,200/yr	+$2,700
Religious Schools	$9,700/yr	$7,800/yr	+$1,900
Independent/Prep	$29,000/yr	$28,300/yr	+$700
Elementary (K-5)	$12,700/yr	$10,400/yr	+$2,300
Middle School (6-8)	$14,900/yr	$12,200/yr	+$2,700
High School (9-12)	$17,900/yr	$14,600/yr	+$3,300

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Palmdale

$193,700

Scranton

$158,600

Choosing Scranton saves $35,100 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $70,200.

Sample Schools

Palmdale

Palmdale Aerospace Academy (Private)

Independent · K–12 · $10,200/yr

St. Mary School (Palmdale)

Catholic · K–8 · $8,200-$9,800/yr

Scranton

Holy Cross High School (Dunmore)

Catholic · 9–12 · $11,200/yr

Wyoming Seminary

Independent · 9–12 · $36,800-$42,000/yr

Full Palmdale breakdown → Full Scranton 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.