Is private school cheaper in Pittsburgh or Springfield?

Springfield has lower average private school tuition at $11,100/year vs $12,200/year in Pittsburgh. That's $1,100/year less, or $14,300 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Springfield is $1,100/year less than Pittsburgh. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $14,300 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $7,800/year in Pittsburgh, $7,000/year in Springfield.

How do Pittsburgh and Springfield 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). Springfield averages $11,100/year ($1,250 below average).

Private School Cost: Pittsburgh vs Springfield

Springfield averages $1,100/year less for private school (10% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $14,300 per child.

Bottom Line

Springfield is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $11,100/year vs $12,200/year in Pittsburgh. Religious schools run $7,000/year on the low end.

Pittsburgh

$12,200

avg tuition/year

$150 below national avg

Springfield

$11,100

avg tuition/year

$1,250 below national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Pittsburgh	Springfield	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$12,200/yr	$11,100/yr	+$1,100
Religious Schools	$7,800/yr	$7,000/yr	+$800
Independent/Prep	$22,800/yr	$25,700/yr	-$2,900
Elementary (K-5)	$10,000/yr	$9,400/yr	+$600
Middle School (6-8)	$12,200/yr	$11,100/yr	+$1,100
High School (9-12)	$15,000/yr	$13,300/yr	+$1,700

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Pittsburgh

$158,600

Springfield

$144,300

Choosing Springfield saves $14,300 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $28,600.

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

Springfield

Sacred Heart-Griffin High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $9,800/yr

Springfield Christian Academy

Christian · K–12 · $8,800-$10,600/yr

Full Pittsburgh breakdown → Full Springfield breakdown →

Pennsylvania private school costs Illinois 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.