Private School Cost: Pittsburgh vs Thornton
Pittsburgh averages $900/year less for private school (7% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $11,700 per child.
Bottom Line
Pittsburgh is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $12,200/year vs $13,100/year in Thornton. Religious schools run $7,800/year on the low end.
Pittsburgh
PA
$12,200
avg tuition/year
Thornton
CO
$13,100
avg tuition/year
Tuition by School Type & Grade
| Category | Pittsburgh | Thornton | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| All Schools (Average) | $12,200/yr | $13,100/yr | -$900 |
| Religious Schools | $7,800/yr | $8,500/yr | -$700 |
| Independent/Prep | $22,800/yr | $25,700/yr | -$2,900 |
| Elementary (K-5) | $10,000/yr | $11,100/yr | -$1,100 |
| Middle School (6-8) | $12,200/yr | $13,100/yr | -$900 |
| High School (9-12) | $15,000/yr | $15,700/yr | -$700 |
K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)
Pittsburgh
$158,600
Thornton
$170,300
Choosing Pittsburgh saves $11,700 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $23,400.
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
Thornton
Thornton Christian Academy
Christian · K–12 · $9,200-$11,400/yr
St. Pius X Catholic School (Thornton)
Catholic · K–8 · $8,400-$10,200/yr
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.