Is private school cheaper in Pittsburgh or Simi Valley?

Pittsburgh has lower average private school tuition at $12,200/year vs $17,200/year in Simi Valley. That's $5,000/year less, or $65,000 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Pittsburgh is $5,000/year less than Simi Valley. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $65,000 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $7,800/year in Pittsburgh, $11,200/year in Simi Valley.

How do Pittsburgh and Simi Valley 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). Simi Valley averages $17,200/year ($4,850 above average).

Private School Cost: Pittsburgh vs Simi Valley

Pittsburgh averages $5,000/year less for private school (41% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $65,000 per child.

Bottom Line

Pittsburgh is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $12,200/year vs $17,200/year in Simi Valley. Religious schools run $7,800/year on the low end.

Pittsburgh

$12,200

avg tuition/year

$150 below national avg

Lower cost

Simi Valley

$17,200

avg tuition/year

$4,850 above national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Pittsburgh	Simi Valley	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$12,200/yr	$17,200/yr	-$5,000
Religious Schools	$7,800/yr	$11,200/yr	-$3,400
Independent/Prep	$22,800/yr	$33,600/yr	-$10,800
Elementary (K-5)	$10,000/yr	$14,600/yr	-$4,600
Middle School (6-8)	$12,200/yr	$17,200/yr	-$5,000
High School (9-12)	$15,000/yr	$20,600/yr	-$5,600

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Pittsburgh

$158,600

Simi Valley

$223,600

Choosing Pittsburgh saves $65,000 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $130,000.

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

Simi Valley

Notre Dame High School (Sherman Oaks)

Catholic · 9–12 · $21,400/yr

Simi Valley Christian School

Christian · K–12 · $9,200-$11,400/yr

Full Pittsburgh breakdown → Full Simi Valley breakdown →

Pennsylvania private school costs California 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.