Is private school cheaper in Phoenix or Pittsburgh?

Pittsburgh has lower average private school tuition at $12,200/year vs $13,400/year in Phoenix. That's $1,200/year less, or $15,600 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Pittsburgh is $1,200/year less than Phoenix. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $15,600 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $8,600/year in Phoenix, $7,800/year in Pittsburgh.

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

The national average private school tuition is $12,350/year. Phoenix averages $13,400/year ($1,050 above average). Pittsburgh averages $12,200/year ($150 below average).

Private School Cost: Phoenix vs Pittsburgh

Pittsburgh averages $1,200/year less for private school (10% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $15,600 per child.

Bottom Line

Pittsburgh is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $12,200/year vs $13,400/year in Phoenix. Religious schools run $7,800/year on the low end.

Phoenix

$13,400

avg tuition/year

$1,050 above national avg

Pittsburgh

$12,200

avg tuition/year

$150 below national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Phoenix	Pittsburgh	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$13,400/yr	$12,200/yr	+$1,200
Religious Schools	$8,600/yr	$7,800/yr	+$800
Independent/Prep	$24,500/yr	$22,800/yr	+$1,700
Elementary (K-5)	$11,000/yr	$10,000/yr	+$1,000
Middle School (6-8)	$13,400/yr	$12,200/yr	+$1,200
High School (9-12)	$16,500/yr	$15,000/yr	+$1,500

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Phoenix

$174,200

Pittsburgh

$158,600

Choosing Pittsburgh saves $15,600 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $31,200.

Sample Schools

Phoenix

Brophy College Preparatory

Catholic · 9–12 · $17,800/yr

Xavier College Preparatory

Catholic · 9–12 · $17,400/yr

Scottsdale Preparatory Academy

Independent · 6–12 · $12,800-$14,200/yr

Notre Dame Preparatory High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $16,200/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 Phoenix breakdown → Full Pittsburgh breakdown →

Arizona private school costs Pennsylvania private school costs

Related Comparisons

Denver vs Phoenix → San Francisco vs Phoenix → Boston vs Phoenix → Los Angeles vs Phoenix →

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.