Is private school cheaper in Pittsburgh or Salt Lake City?

Salt Lake City has lower average private school tuition at $9,400/year vs $12,200/year in Pittsburgh. That's $2,800/year less, or $36,400 over a K-12 career.

How much can I save on private school by choosing Salt Lake City over Pittsburgh?

Average tuition in Salt Lake City is $2,800/year less than Pittsburgh. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $36,400 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $7,800/year in Pittsburgh, $6,500/year in Salt Lake City.

How do Pittsburgh and Salt Lake City 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). Salt Lake City averages $9,400/year ($2,950 below average).

Private School Cost: Pittsburgh vs Salt Lake City

Salt Lake City averages $2,800/year less for private school (30% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $36,400 per child.

Bottom Line

Salt Lake City is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $9,400/year vs $12,200/year in Pittsburgh. Religious schools run $6,500/year on the low end.

Pittsburgh

$12,200

avg tuition/year

$150 below national avg

Salt Lake City

$9,400

avg tuition/year

$2,950 below national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Pittsburgh	Salt Lake City	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$12,200/yr	$9,400/yr	+$2,800
Religious Schools	$7,800/yr	$6,500/yr	+$1,300
Independent/Prep	$22,800/yr	$18,700/yr	+$4,100
Elementary (K-5)	$10,000/yr	$8,000/yr	+$2,000
Middle School (6-8)	$12,200/yr	$9,400/yr	+$2,800
High School (9-12)	$15,000/yr	$11,300/yr	+$3,700

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Pittsburgh

$158,600

Salt Lake City

$122,200

Choosing Salt Lake City saves $36,400 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $72,800.

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

Salt Lake City

Judge Memorial Catholic High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $12,400/yr

Utah Private Academy

Independent · K–12 · $9,800-$12,400/yr

Full Pittsburgh breakdown → Full Salt Lake City breakdown →

Pennsylvania private school costs Utah 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.