Is private school cheaper in Pittsburgh or Salem?

Pittsburgh has lower average private school tuition at $12,200/year vs $12,400/year in Salem. That's $200/year less, or $2,600 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Pittsburgh is $200/year less than Salem. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $2,600 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $7,800/year in Pittsburgh, $8,400/year in Salem.

How do Pittsburgh and Salem 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). Salem averages $12,400/year ($50 above average).

Private School Cost: Pittsburgh vs Salem

Pittsburgh averages $200/year less for private school (2% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $2,600 per child.

Bottom Line

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

Pittsburgh

$12,200

avg tuition/year

$150 below national avg

Lower cost

Salem

$12,400

avg tuition/year

$50 above national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Pittsburgh	Salem	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$12,200/yr	$12,400/yr	-$200
Religious Schools	$7,800/yr	$8,400/yr	-$600
Independent/Prep	$22,800/yr	$25,000/yr	-$2,200
Elementary (K-5)	$10,000/yr	$10,500/yr	-$500
Middle School (6-8)	$12,200/yr	$12,400/yr	-$200
High School (9-12)	$15,000/yr	$14,900/yr	+$100

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Pittsburgh

$158,600

Salem

$161,200

Choosing Pittsburgh saves $2,600 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $5,200.

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

Salem

Salem Academy (OR)

Christian · 9–12 · $14,800/yr

Blanchet Catholic School (Salem)

Catholic · 9–12 · $12,400/yr

Full Pittsburgh breakdown → Full Salem breakdown →

Pennsylvania private school costs Oregon 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.