Is private school cheaper in Pittsburgh or West Palm Beach?

West Palm Beach has lower average private school tuition at $11,300/year vs $12,200/year in Pittsburgh. That's $900/year less, or $11,700 over a K-12 career.

How much can I save on private school by choosing West Palm Beach over Pittsburgh?

Average tuition in West Palm Beach is $900/year less than Pittsburgh. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $11,700 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $7,800/year in Pittsburgh, $7,800/year in West Palm Beach.

How do Pittsburgh and West Palm Beach 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). West Palm Beach averages $11,300/year ($1,050 below average).

Private School Cost: Pittsburgh vs West Palm Beach

West Palm Beach averages $900/year less for private school (8% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $11,700 per child.

Bottom Line

West Palm Beach is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $11,300/year vs $12,200/year in Pittsburgh. Religious schools run $7,800/year on the low end.

Pittsburgh

$12,200

avg tuition/year

$150 below national avg

West Palm Beach

$11,300

avg tuition/year

$1,050 below national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Pittsburgh	West Palm Beach	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$12,200/yr	$11,300/yr	+$900
Religious Schools	$7,800/yr	$7,800/yr	Same
Independent/Prep	$22,800/yr	$23,200/yr	-$400
Elementary (K-5)	$10,000/yr	$9,600/yr	+$400
Middle School (6-8)	$12,200/yr	$11,300/yr	+$900
High School (9-12)	$15,000/yr	$13,600/yr	+$1,400

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Pittsburgh

$158,600

West Palm Beach

$146,900

Choosing West Palm Beach 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

West Palm Beach

Palm Beach Day Academy

Independent · PK–8 · $32,400/yr

Cardinal Newman High School (WPB)

Catholic · 9–12 · $15,200/yr

Full Pittsburgh breakdown → Full West Palm Beach breakdown →

Pennsylvania private school costs Florida 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.