Is private school cheaper in Pittsburgh or Worcester?

Pittsburgh has lower average private school tuition at $12,200/year vs $23,600/year in Worcester. That's $11,400/year less, or $148,200 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Pittsburgh is $11,400/year less than Worcester. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $148,200 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $7,800/year in Pittsburgh, $12,800/year in Worcester.

How do Pittsburgh and Worcester 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). Worcester averages $23,600/year ($11,250 above average).

Private School Cost: Pittsburgh vs Worcester

Pittsburgh averages $11,400/year less for private school (93% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $148,200 per child.

Bottom Line

Pittsburgh is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $12,200/year vs $23,600/year in Worcester. Religious schools run $7,800/year on the low end.

Pittsburgh

$12,200

avg tuition/year

$150 below national avg

Lower cost

Worcester

$23,600

avg tuition/year

$11,250 above national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Pittsburgh	Worcester	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$12,200/yr	$23,600/yr	-$11,400
Religious Schools	$7,800/yr	$12,800/yr	-$5,000
Independent/Prep	$22,800/yr	$48,100/yr	-$25,300
Elementary (K-5)	$10,000/yr	$20,100/yr	-$10,100
Middle School (6-8)	$12,200/yr	$23,600/yr	-$11,400
High School (9-12)	$15,000/yr	$28,300/yr	-$13,300

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Pittsburgh

$158,600

Worcester

$306,800

Choosing Pittsburgh saves $148,200 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $296,400.

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

Worcester

Holy Name Central Catholic High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $13,800/yr

Worcester Academy

Independent · 9–12 · $36,400/yr

Full Pittsburgh breakdown → Full Worcester breakdown →

Pennsylvania private school costs Massachusetts 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.