Is private school cheaper in Pittsburgh or Richmond?

Pittsburgh has lower average private school tuition at $12,200/year vs $14,500/year in Richmond. That's $2,300/year less, or $29,900 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Pittsburgh is $2,300/year less than Richmond. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $29,900 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $7,800/year in Pittsburgh, $9,200/year in Richmond.

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

The national average private school tuition is $12,350/year. Pittsburgh averages $12,200/year ($150 below average). Richmond averages $14,500/year ($2,150 above average).

Private School Cost: Pittsburgh vs Richmond

Pittsburgh averages $2,300/year less for private school (19% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $29,900 per child.

Bottom Line

Pittsburgh is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $12,200/year vs $14,500/year in Richmond. Religious schools run $7,800/year on the low end.

Pittsburgh

$12,200

avg tuition/year

$150 below national avg

Lower cost

Richmond

$14,500

avg tuition/year

$2,150 above national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Pittsburgh	Richmond	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$12,200/yr	$14,500/yr	-$2,300
Religious Schools	$7,800/yr	$9,200/yr	-$1,400
Independent/Prep	$22,800/yr	$27,000/yr	-$4,200
Elementary (K-5)	$10,000/yr	$11,800/yr	-$1,800
Middle School (6-8)	$12,200/yr	$14,500/yr	-$2,300
High School (9-12)	$15,000/yr	$18,000/yr	-$3,000

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Pittsburgh

$158,600

Richmond

$188,500

Choosing Pittsburgh saves $29,900 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $59,800.

Sample Schools

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

Richmond

St. Catherine's School (Richmond)

Independent · PK–12 · $28,800-$31,400/yr

St. Christopher's School

Independent · K–12 · $29,200-$31,800/yr

Collegiate School (Richmond)

Independent · PK–12 · $30,400-$32,800/yr

Benedictine College Preparatory

Catholic · 9–12 · $16,200/yr

Full Pittsburgh breakdown → Full Richmond breakdown →

Pennsylvania private school costs Virginia 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.