Is private school cheaper in Pittsburgh or Scranton?

Pittsburgh has lower average private school tuition at $12,200/year vs $12,200/year in Scranton. That's $0/year less, or $0 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Pittsburgh is $0/year less than Scranton. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $0 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $7,800/year in Pittsburgh, $7,800/year in Scranton.

How do Pittsburgh and Scranton 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). Scranton averages $12,200/year ($150 below average).

Private School Cost: Pittsburgh vs Scranton

Both cities average about the same for private school tuition.

Bottom Line

Both cities average around $12,200/year for private school. The difference shows up in school type: religious schools are much cheaper than independent prep.

Pittsburgh

$12,200

avg tuition/year

$150 below national avg

Scranton

$12,200

avg tuition/year

$150 below national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Pittsburgh	Scranton	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$12,200/yr	$12,200/yr	Same
Religious Schools	$7,800/yr	$7,800/yr	Same
Independent/Prep	$22,800/yr	$28,300/yr	-$5,500
Elementary (K-5)	$10,000/yr	$10,400/yr	-$400
Middle School (6-8)	$12,200/yr	$12,200/yr	Same
High School (9-12)	$15,000/yr	$14,600/yr	+$400

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Pittsburgh

$158,600

Scranton

$158,600

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

Scranton

Holy Cross High School (Dunmore)

Catholic · 9–12 · $11,200/yr

Wyoming Seminary

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

Full Pittsburgh breakdown → Full Scranton breakdown →

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.